- Isaia Howard’s career-high 21 points and six steals fuel Drake’s MVC Tournament opener
- Drake’s balanced attack features three double-digit scorers in dominant win
- Southern Illinois’ season ends despite Ali Abdou Dibba’s 19-point effort
In a commanding start to their Missouri Valley Conference Tournament campaign, top-seeded Drake relied on bench firepower to dismantle Southern Illinois 70-53. Sixth man Isaia Howard electrified St. Louis’ Enterprise Center with a career-best 21 points, showcasing why depth remains critical in March. The Bulldogs’ victory sets up a quarterfinal clash against Illinois State or Belmont, maintaining their momentum toward a potential NCAA Tournament bid.
Howard’s performance epitomized Drake’s strategic edge. The sophomore guard shot 70% from the field while disrupting Southern Illinois’ backcourt with six steals – the most by any MVC player this tournament. His +27 plus-minus rating underscored his two-way impact, providing a blueprint for mid-major success through roster depth.
Complementing Howard’s outburst, starters Bennett Stirtz and Cam Manyawu delivered efficiency. Stirtz notched 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists, navigating Southern Illinois’ defense with crafty drives. Manyawu dominated the paint, converting 80% of his shots en route to 11 points. This trio’s synergy highlights Drake’s offensive versatility, ranking them 12th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Southern Illinois’ valiant effort fell short despite Ali Abdou Dibba’s game-high 19 points. The Salukis struggled with ball security, committing 18 turnovers that Drake converted into 22 fast-break points. Drew Steffe and Kennard Davis combined for 21 points, but inconsistent perimeter shooting (4-18 from three) sealed their fate.
Regional Spotlight: Drake’s dominance continues a Midwest basketball trend, with MVC teams leveraging deep benches in tournament settings. Since 2020, MVC squads with a top-three bench scoring average have won 78% of conference tournament games. The Bulldogs’ St. Louis success – including their 2021 MVC title run – reinforces the “Arch Madness” advantage for well-rounded rosters.
As Drake prepares for Saturday’s quarterfinal, their NCAA NET ranking (32nd) suggests at-large bid security. However, coach Darian DeVries emphasized postgame, “Tournament games demand 40-minute focus – we’re building habits for bigger stages.” With Howard emerging as an X-factor, the Bulldogs aim to become the first MVC team since 2018 to reach the Sweet Sixteen.