Boxscore

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- For a team that leads the league in three-point shots, the game came down to free throws for Drake (9-11, 4-4), as the Bulldogs' last eight points came from the line and sealed a 72-65 win over the University of Evansville (6-12, 0-8) Wednesday night at Roberts Stadium.

Drake hit 10 of 20 three-pointers compared to 4 of 15 for the Aces, and Drake's shooting was the major reason why the Bulldogs took a 10-point lead in the first half and led by 11 late in the second half before Evansville cut the advantage to six on three different occasions in the final two minutes.  But the Bulldogs' free throw shooting in the final minutes kept Evansville from getting any closer, sending Drake to its fourth straight victory and the Aces to their ninth straight loss.  Josh Young was 9 of 14 at the line for Drake, which ended up 18 for 26 at the free throw line as a team.  Young led the Bulldogs with 18 points, and Adam Templeton added 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Evansville's Denver Holmes tied his career high with 23 and James Haarsma put in 18 points while adding eight rebounds for the Aces. 

"I have mixed emotions," said UE Coach Marty Simmons afterward.  "Our offense at times was really sharp and we made some good decisions.  Defensively, we didn't guard the ball well enough and we got into too many scramble situations, although we did defend better in the second half.  Denver was really sharp in the first half especially.  He drove the ball into the middle of their zone and took a lot of high percentage shots.  And James played well even though he's only practiced two days in the last 10 (because of an elbow injury).  He's just now starting to get his timing."

Saturday's contest at Bradley is next for the Aces with a start time of 2:05 CST.  UE's next home game is Sunday, Jan. 31 against Indiana State.