Drake loses close one to SIU

Drake led nearly the entire way Wednesday night against Southern Illinois but the Bulldogs failed to convert down the stretch and the Valley co-leaders wiggled off the hook for a 65-64 win over the Bulldogs in the Knapp Center. Leading 63-60 with about three minutes remaining, Drake committed two straight turnovers and missed four consecitive free throws as Southern rallied for the victory. Drake coach Kurt Kanaskie says everybody feels awful, and the season’s been really tough, but he says his team can’t have any regrets because they “laid it all on the line.” J.J. Sola had 20-points for Drake as did fellow senior Greg Danielson who said the Bulldogs played well enough to win. Danielson says Drake “just cannot find a way to win.” He says Drake did almost everything right last night, though, except knock down free throws to get the win. Drake falls to 2-8 in the Valley and 7-14 overall.