ST. LOUIS — Junior swingman Tucker DeVries, the reigning two-time Larry Bird Player of the Year, scored 19 points including 14 in the first half, keying No. 2 seed Drake to a 79-58 victory past No. 10 seed Evansville in the quarterfinal round of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Friday at the Enterprise Center.

The Bulldogs advanced to the semifinal round for the 11th time, including the sixth straight year under coach Darrian DeVries. It also marked the fourth straight year the No. 2 seed has advanced to the semifinal round of the MVC Tournament.

Drake, earning its third straight win, improved to 26-6 overall, marking the second straight season the Bulldogs have won at least 26 games and fifth time in program history. Drake earned its 11th straight win against Evansville, improving its lead in the series to 34-28.

NOTES

• The No. 2 seed has advanced to the semifinal round of the MVC Tournament the past four straight years.
• Drake advances to the semifinal round for the 11th time including the sixth straight year (all under coach Darian DeVries).
• Clinging to a 21-18 lead, Drake closed out first half with  22-4 run holding the Aces to just one basket (9 shots) in the last 8 minutes 9 seconds.
• This was Evansville’s lowest scoring first half since scoring 20 points in the first meeting in Des Moines.
• Drake is 20-1 when leading at half.
• This was Drake’s 14th double-digit halftime lead of the season and also the 14th time Drake has scored 40 or more points in the first half this season.
• DeVries had a game high six assists, marking ninth time he has dished out five-plus assists in a contest this season
• Drake, earning its third straight win, improved to 26-6 overall, marking the second straight season the Bulldogs have won at least 26 games and fifth time in program history. 1968-69, 26-5; 2007-08, 28-5; 2020-21,26-5;  2022-23, 27-8; 2023-24 26-6).
• Drake pushed its MVC Tournament record to 27-43, while advancing to the semifinal round for the 11th time including the sixth straight year (all under coach Darian DeVries).
• Drake has a 3-1 MVC Tournament record against Evansville. Head coach Darian DeVries improved his MVC Tournament record to 11-4.