This time U-N-I did not need a last second shot. The Panthers survived a shaky start then pulled away in the second half for a 75-61 victory at Wichita State.
Panther coach Greg McDermott on his postgame show on the U-N-I Sports Network says they were able to keep Wichita out of it in the second half and not let the crowd dictate how the game was played. McDermott said the Panthers did all the things it takes to win a tough road game, but he didn’t expect to win by double digits. McDermott says when you have three or four keys to the game, you hope to get a few of them and win. He says to play good defense and keep Wichita State off the free-throw line was big.

Grant Stout had 22 points to lead U-N-I. Ben Jacobsen added 21 and said the Panthers were able to settle down after falling behind by eight early in the game. Stout says they’re mature enough and have won enough games to know how to answer back when they get down. Stout says they’re playing pretty good basketball right now.
The Panthers are 3-1 in the Valley.

Drake evened its Valley mark at 2-2 as the Bulldogs rallied in the second half to edge Bradley 75-73 in Des Moines. Drake coach Tom Davis on his postgame show on K-R-N-T in Des Moines said it was a big win for his team. Davis says when he looked at Bradley and saw how good they were, he says he knew he had his hands full. He says his team is better, but says the opposition is so tough, it’s going to be hard to get more wins.

Senior Chaun Brooks continued his strong play for the Bulldogs. He had 15 points to go along with three assists and three steals. He says they came out and really tried to pick it up on defense and says they really came through with the free throws down the stretch.

Brooks felt Bradley ran out of gas down the stretch. Brooks says Drake’s system and subbing pattern tends to wear guys out and their legs go and they don’t make the shots they made in the first half.
Drake is 9-6 overall