Buzzer-Beater Win Propels Drake to March Madness After Missouri Valley Championship

Sunday brought the winning spirit for Drake Bulldogs as the team played for the Missouri Valley Conference title against Missouri State Bears. After the rolling court spectacle, it eventually took a breathtaking buzzer-beater to vindicate Bulldogs. They sealed the deal with 76-75 score.

Started off with University of Northern Iowa, Bulldogs maintained a 13-game winning streak. In the regular season, they showcased an impressive performance with a stellar record of 26-5 overall. Bulldogs then dominated the Missouri Valley Conference with an outstanding 19-1 record with their consistency and strength. The only teams that could beat Bulldogs include Iowa, Richmond, Creighton, and Illinois State.

Bulldogs humbled Bears in Big Fight

The game turned out to be a back-and-forth snatch for gaining lead in every quarter. As a result, Bulldogs led in the 1st with 24 points, leaving Bears trailing at 15.

Then in the second quarter, Bears rallied with 5 more points and led with 20. The tables again turned in the third with Bulldogs pulling off at 21 points while Bears kept running after with 15 points. Lastly, the fourth arrived and it got interesting.

Bulldogs could score only 17 points, with Bears leading with 2. However, they kept the ball rolling, limiting Bears from making any shots, with the final buzzer beater dunk by forward Anna Miller after she caught the dump from Courtney Becker from the inbound.

In the game, Miller scored 25 points, 7 rebounds, and an assist. Her regular season average reads 13.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Team’s leading scorer Katie Dinnebier scored 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. Her regular season average is 17.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game.

The team’s collective push and unwavering strength have not only given them the MVC conference title but also secured them a spot in March Madness. So, what lies ahead of the Bulldogs in this year’s tournament?

Battle before Bulldogs now

The Missouri Valley Conference champions have earned the 12th seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. As a result, they will be facing the 5th seed Colorado Buffaloes in the first round of the tournament.

The game is set to take place in Manhattan, Kansas, marking their second consecutive trip to March Madness which is a journey in its own right.

Notably, their 19 victories are the most in both men’s and women’s MVC team to have in a single season. However, their recent win is majorly attributed to Anna Miller whose clutch layup delivered Bulldogs the MVC conference title despite having a narrow margin and an 8-point trail in the fourth quarter.

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