South Dakota falls to Drake
VERMILLION, S.D. (GoYotes.com) —Drake shot 47 percent from the field and made 20 of 29 from the free-throw line to spoil South Dakota men’s basketball’s home opener Friday night inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
The Bulldogs, still unbeaten at 7-0, defeated the Coyotes for the second time this season, this one a 75-57 decision behind a 25-point, five-assist performance from guard Roman Penn.
South Dakota, falling to 1-6, was paced by Stanley Umude with 14 points while A.J. Plitzuweit had 12 and Xavier Fuller 11.
Drake scored the final eight points of the first half, turning a narrow two-point advantage into a 37-27 halftime edge. Then, the guests used a 10-1 spurt early in the second half to push the lead to 17 points.
South Dakota cut the deficit to 55-44 nine minutes into the second half before another short Drake spurt, this one a 10-2 run that pushed the advantage up to 65-46.
Penn was 7 of 10 from the field, 9 of 10 from the line and dished out a game-high five assists. Tremeill Murphy added 15 points and a game-high seven rebounds. The Bulldogs also got 12 points each from ShanQuan Hemphill and D.J. Wilkins.
The Coyotes shot 43 percent for the game including a 4 of 15 effort from beyond the arc. Drake used a full-court press to help force 18 turnovers and outrebounded USD 34-23.
The Coyotes close non-conference play with a Sunday home contest against Mount Marty. The Summit League opener is Jan. 2 versus Denver.
