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No. 20 Drake Wins Missouri Valley Title

Emmenecker gets MVP honors as Bulldogs head to the Big Dance

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2008 6:15 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Drake clinched its first NCAA tournament berth since 1971 with a 79-49 win over Illinois State in the Missouri Valley Championship game. Former walk-on Adam Emmenecker padded his conference player of the year status with 16 points and six assists to garner tournament MVP honors as well. The No. 20 Bulldogs shot 56% while improving to 28-4, writes the AP.

A 22-2 run to close out the first half sealed the deal for Drake, as Illinois State was unable to muster any sort of second-half comeback. Jonathan Cox added 20 points, as the Bulldogs completed a sweep of the MVC regular season and tourney titles. As for making the Big Dance, Emmenecker said, "this is the big deal."

Members of the Drake basketball team celebrate after beating Illinois State for the Missouri Valley conference tournament championship on Sunday, March 9, 2008 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Members of the Drake basketball team celebrate after beating Illinois State for the Missouri Valley conference tournament championship on Sunday, March 9, 2008 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)   (Associated Press)
Drake's head coach Keno Davis talks to his team during a first-half timeout in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship college basketball game Sunday, March 9, 2008, in St. Louis. Drake beat Illinois State 79-49 for the title. (AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)
Drake's head coach Keno Davis talks to his team during a first-half timeout in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship college basketball game Sunday, March 9, 2008, in St. Louis. Drake beat Illinois...   (Associated Press)
Drake's Adam Emmenecker (15) keeps the ball away from Illinois State's Dom Johnson in the Missouri Valley conference tournament championship basketball game, Sunday, March 9, 2008, in St. Louis. Emmenecker was named tournament MVP as Drake beat Illinois State, 79-49, to take the MVC championship. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
Drake's Adam Emmenecker (15) keeps the ball away from Illinois State's Dom Johnson in the Missouri Valley conference tournament championship basketball game, Sunday, March 9, 2008, in St. Louis. Emmenecker...   (Associated Press)
Drake's Adam Emmenecker makes the final ceremonial cuts in the net after his team's 79-49 victory over Illinois State in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship college basketball game Sunday, March 9, 2008, in St. Louis. Emmenecker scored 16 points in the game and was named tournament MVP. (AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)
Drake's Adam Emmenecker makes the final ceremonial cuts in the net after his team's 79-49 victory over Illinois State in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship college basketball game Sunday, March...   (Associated Press)
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basketball • NCAA basketball • Drake Bulldogs • Missouri Valley Conference • Illinois State Redbirds • Adam Emmenecker

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