ST. LOUIS — (via https://godrakebulldogs.com/sports/mens-basketball) 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 (1968-69, 26-5; 2007-08, 28-5; 2020-21, 26-5; 2022-23, 27-8; 2023-24, 26-6).  Clinging to a 21-18 lead, Drake closed out the first half with a 22-4 run holding the Aces to just one basket (on nine shots) in the final 8:09 of play to enter intermission with a 43-22 cushion.

Drake outrebounded Evansville, 37-31, improving to 16-1 when out-rebounding opponents this season. Owning a 43-22 halftime lead, Drake enjoyed its 14th double-digit halftime lead of the season, while scoring 40 or more points in the first half for the 14th time this season. Drake also improved to 20-1 when leading at the half and 114-14 during the Darian DeVries coaching era.

DeVries also led the Bulldogs with six rebounds, six assists and three steals. Guard Atin Wright, who led the Bulldogs in their last outing at Evansville with a season-high 26 points, scored 12 points. Reserve Kyron Gibson added 10 points. DeVries moved into No. 3 on the Drake school single-season scoring list at 676 points, passing Red Murrell who scored 668 in 1957-58. DeVries made all six free throws extending his consecutive free throw made string to 16 while pushing his career total to 344 made, moving past Willie Cerf (1953-56, 339) into No. 6 on the Drake career free throw made list.

Evansville closed the season with a 16-17 overall record. Forward Yacine Toumi just missed posting his third double-double of the season while leading the Purple Aces with 14 points and nine rebounds. Guard Kenny Strawbridge added nine points for the Purple Aces. Evansville senior Ben Humrichous was limited to six points one day after registering his first double-double of the season against Illinois State (15 points, 11 rebounds).

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.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The University of Iowa softball team swept a doubleheader against CSU Bakersfield and San Jose State University on Friday afternoon on day one of the Silicon Valley Classic.

The Hawkeyes took game one against the Roadrunners, in run-rule fashion, 17-1, before capping off the day with a, 3-2, win over the Spartans.

Junior Devyn Greer and sophomore Jalen Adams each picked up a win in the circle for Iowa.

Sophomore Tory Bennett and junior Rylie Moss each recorded five hits in the doubleheader. Bennett finished the day going 5-for-7 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Moss had a perfect day at the plate going 5-for-5 with one RBI and four runs scored.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes will return to action on Saturday Mar. 8 for day two of the Silicon Valley Classic with a doubleheader against Santa Clara. The games will be played at 2:30 and 5 p.m. CT at the Santa Clara Softball Stadium. Both games will be streamed on ESPN +. (subscription required)

AMES, Iowa – The University of Iowa gymnastics team defeated Iowa State, 196.450-196.175, in an Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup on Friday night inside Hilton Coliseum.

 Sophomore Karina Muñoz led the way for the GymHawks, securing a top-three finish in four of the five events. Muñoz landed on top in the all-around with a 39.450 and tied for first place on vault and beam.

 BARS

The GymHawks posted a team score of 48.975 in the first rotation, trailing closely behind the Cyclones. Sophomore Gianna Masella and freshman Eva Volpe led the rotation for the Hawkeyes, each adding a 9.850 to the board. The two tied second place in the apparatus and Volpe matched her season best score. Kaia Vanney and Karina Muñoz each registered a 9.725.

 VAULT

The Hawkeyes landed on top in the second rotation, recording a team score of 49.025 to bring the meet to a tie. Volpe stuck her landing to earn a 9.825. Another freshman, Alyse Karenbauer, added a 9.825. Muñoz also had a noteworthy vault performance, posting a 9.850, tying for the event title.

FLOOR

The GymHawks continued their surge and downed the Cyclones in the third rotation, earning a team score of 49.200. Three Hawkeyes — Karenbauer, Bailey Libby and Emily Erb  — had outstanding performances to each bring in a 9.850. Muñoz led the Hawkeyes in the apparatus with a 9.875 and tied for second overall in the event.

BEAM

In the final rotation, Iowa posted a 49.250 to clinch the event and secure the win overall. Two Hawkeyes — Ilka Juk and Muñoz — stuck near-perfect performances, bringing in a pair of 9.9s and each taking a share of the first-place title. Aubrey Nick added a 9.850 and Volpe a 9.775.

UP NEXT

The GymHawks will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, to compete at the Kidney Care Women’s Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, March 16. Action inside of the Nashville Municipal Auditorium will begin at 12:30 p.m. (CT).

The Iowa Association of Track Coaches indoor meet was held Friday in Ames.  Several local participants scored medals.

#4 Nodaway Valley –Girls 800 Meter Sprint Medley (2:00.52)

#6 Lenox – Girls 800 Meter Sprint Medley (2:01.99)

#8 Riverside – Girls 800 Meter Sprint Medley (2:03.25)

#9 Fremont-Mills – Girls 800 Meter Sprint Medley (2:03.43)

#10 Earlham – Girls 800 Meter Sprint Medley (2:04.22)

#17 Logan-Magnolia – Girls 800 Meter Sprint Medley (2:05.57)

#21 ACGC – Girls 800 Meter Sprint Medley (2:11.27)

#5 Earlham – Girls 4×800 Meter Relay (10:43.02)

#8 Griswold – Girls 4×800 Meter Relay (10:43.69)

#11 Riverside – Girls 4×800 Meter Relay (10:50.93)

#14 Woodbine – Girls 4×800 Meter Relay (11:21.85)

#15 ACGC – Girls 4×800 Meter Relay (11:38.35)

#18 Mount Ayr – Girls 4×800 Meter Relay (12:15.65)

#6 Lydia Erickson, Riverside –Girls 400m Dash (1:02.29)

#7 Sadie Cox, Lenox – Girls 400m Dash (1:03.07)

#13 Ely Henderson, Riverside – Girls 400m Dash (1:04.25)

#15 Taylor Rodgers, Earlham – Girls 400m Dash (1:06.89)

#18 Ashlyn Murphy, Mount Ayr – Girls 400m Dash 1:07.56

#7 Hannah Wilson, Fremont-Mills – Girls 1500m Run (5:13.86)

#12 Mackenzie Harger, Earlham – Girls 1500m Run (5:25.71)

#16 Izabelle Seda, Woodbine – Girls 1500m Run (5:37.25)

#17 Cece Stanley, Earlham – Girls 1500 Run (5:37.58)

#20 Bailey Richardson, Riverside – Girls 1500m Run (5:42.89)

#2 Annika Nelson, Nodaway Valley –Girls 60m Hurdles (9.75)

#5 Bella Gute, Fremont-Mills – Girls 60m Hurdles (10.13)

#7 Annika Nelson, Nodaway Valley – Girls 60m Dash (8.21)

#2 Carly Henderson, Riverside – Girls 800 Meter Run (2:24.26)

#3 Ava Campbell, ACGC – Girls 800 Meter Run (2:25.77)

#6 Hannah Wilson, Fremont-Mills – Girls 800 Meter Run (2:27.05)

#10 Ada Hansen, CAM – Girls 800 Meter Run (2:32.04)

#11 Hannah Frank, Earlham – Girls 800 Meter Run (2:33.47)

#17 Bentley Rone, Riverside – Girls 800 Meter Run (2:40.03)

#4 Emma Lundy, Nodaway Valley – Girls 200m Dash (27.30)

#9 Annika Nelson, Nodaway Valley – Girls 200m Dash (28.13)

#12 Olivia Lund, Riverside – Girls 200m Dash (28.51)

#13 Lana Alley, Fremont-Mills – Girls 200m Dash (28.67)

#2 Fremont Mills – Girls Shuttle Hurdle (40.87)

#6 Logan-Magnolia – Girls Shuttle Hurdle (44.00)

#7 Woodbine – Girls Shuttle Hurdle (44.84)

#9 Mount Ayr – Girls Shuttle Hurdle (46.23)

#10 Earlham – Girls Shuttle Hurdle (46.88)

#2 Nodaway Valley – Girls 4×100 Meter Relay (52.36)

#3 Riverside – Girls 4×100 Meter Relay (52.58)

#9 Fremont-Mills – Girls 4×100 Meter Relay (55.23)

#10 Earlham – Girls 4×100 Meter Relay (55.28)

#15 CAM – Girls 4×100 Meter Relay (56.02)

#16 Logan-Magnolia – Girls 4×100 Meter Relay (56.37)

#20 ACGC –Girls 4×100 Meter Relay (57.58)

#3 Allysen Johnsen, Logan-Magnolia – Girls 3000m Run (11:32.91)

#4 Madison Sporrer, Logan-Magnolia – Girls 3000m Run (11:33.90)

#7 Adyson Lapel, Woodbine – Girls 3000m Run (11:41.11)

#10 Olivia Spurling, Earlham – Girls 3000m Run (12:11.36)

#1 Riverside – Girls 4×400 Meter Relay (4:17.08)

#10 Earlham – Girls 4×400 Meter Relay (4:29.54)

#11 Nodaway Valley – Girls 4×400 Meter Relay (4:30.56)

#13 Griswold – Girls 4×400 Meter Relay (4:36.11)

#15 Mount Ayr – Girls 4×400 Meter Relay (4:36.56)

#16 Fremont-Mills – Girls 4×400 Meter Relay (4:39.80)

#1 Aubree Shields, Mount Ayr – Girls High Jump (5-03.00)

#6 Emily Madison, Fremont-Mills – Girls High Jump (4-11.00)

#8 Carlie Chambers, Fremont-Mills – Girls High Jump (4-11.00)

#11 Hannah Wilson, Fremont-Mills – Girls High Jump (4-09.00)

#16 Ally Presler, Earlham – Girls High Jump (4-05.00)

#17 Emma Follman, CAM – Girls High Jump (4-05.00)

#12 Abby Czarnecki, Logan-Magnolia – Girls Long Jump (14-04.25)

#17 Carlie Nuckolls, Fremont-Mills – Girls Long Jump (14-00.00)

#18 Addison Glade, Nodaway Valley – Girls Long Jump (13-11.75)

#21 Keely Keller, Earlham – Girls Long Jump (13-01.50)

#22 Isabelle Rouse, ACGC – Girls Long Jump (3-00.25)

#6 Amanda Newton, Woodbine –Girls Shot Put (34-01.50)

#8 Kenady Ridout, Earlham – Girls Shot Put (33-10.50)

#9 Macy Mitchell, Fremont-Mills – Girls Shot Put (33-00.25)

#15 Sophia Taylor, Riverside – Girls Shot Put (31-02.25)

#18 Grace Britten, Nodaway Valley – Girls Shot Put (29-09.25)

#19 Maidson Kelley, Riverside – Girls Shot Put (29-08.25)

#20 Kaycie Perkins, Riverside – Girls Shot Put (29-00.50)

#23 Caydence Boals, ACGC – Girls Shot Put (28-03.00)

#24 Becca Littler, ACGC – Girls Shot Put (27-02.00)

Team Scores

#5 Nodaway Valley – 28
#5 Riverside – 28
#16 Fremont-Mills – 20.5
#19 Logan-Magnolia – 15
#21 Mount Ayr – 10
#24 Woodbine – 7
#26 ACGC – 6
#30 Lenox – 5
#30 Earlham – 5

Class 1A – Championship

#1 North Linn 57,  #5 Marquette Catholic 56

Class 2A – Championship

#1 West Christian 78,  #2 Hudson 51

Class 3A – Championship

#4 Assumption 46, #2 Waverly-Shell Rock 45

Class 4A – Championship

#2 Valley 63, #1 Cedar Rapids-Kennedy 59