McGlynn, Murphy help Drake hold off New Mexico St., 66-63
LAS VEGAS -- Nick McGlynn had 19 points and a critical block in the closing seconds, Tremell Murphy scored 14 and had a late steal, and Drake held on for a 66-63 win over New Mexico State on Saturday at the Las Vegas Classic.
Nick Norton scored nine of his 11 points in the second half for Drake (9-2), which is off to its best start since the 2007-08 season when the Bulldogs started 22-1 and advanced to the NCAA tournament -- their last trip to the Big Dance.
Terrell Brown's 3-pointer sparked an 8-2 spurt that pulled the Aggies within one after his dunk with 1:16 to play. Norton sandwiched a 3 and a layup around a basket by NMSU's AJ Harris to make it 64-60 with 32 seconds left. Brown hit another 3 and McGlynn missed the front end of a one-and-one with 11 seconds remaining, but he blocked Brown's layup attempt six seconds later. McGlynn grabbed the rebound, was fouled and hit two free throws to make it 66-63 with three seconds left and the ensuing inbounds pass was intercepted by Murphy to seal it.
Brown led the Aggies (9-3) with 17 points. New Mexico State shot 33 percent from the field, including 6 of 33 (18 percent) from 3-point range.
The Bulldogs led by as many as 15 in the second half and Norton's layup gave them a 48-37 lead with 10:15 to go. But Drake missed six of its next seven shots and committed four turnovers as NMSU used a 13-6 run to trim its deficit to 54-50 when Brown hit a 3-pointer with 3:27 left.
The Aggies made just two of their final 18 first-half shots and Drake closed on an 8-1 run to make it 35-25 at the break.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ron Tyburski
- Peter Juzenas
- Trent Dews
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |
2023-24 Conference USA Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
Louisiana Tech | 12-4 | 1 | 22-10 |
Western Kentucky | 8-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Liberty | 7-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
UTEP | 7-9 | 6 | 18-16 |
Middle Tennessee | 7-9 | 6 | 14-19 |
New Mexico State | 7-9 | 6 | 13-19 |
Jacksonville State | 6-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
Florida International | 5-11 | 8 | 11-22 |