United Group Insurance

Drake cruises past Northern Arizona 76-56

Sports

December 1st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Chris Caird scored 16 points and Richard Carter added 12 with seven assists and four steals as Drake defeated Northern Arizona 76-56 in a Fresno State Classic matchup Saturday night. The Bulldogs (5-1) shot 52.6 percent from the field and jumped out to an early 14-2 lead as Caird, Gary Ricks and Aaron Hawley each sank 3-pointers.

Northern Arizona (2-5) cut the lead to seven on a Max Jacobsen layup, but a 17-9 surge sparked by two more 3-pointers from Caird gave Drake a 15-point lead at halftime. The Lumberjacks could only pull within 12 in the second half as Drake continued the onslaught with Carter hitting a trey to grab a 62-39 lead.

Four Bulldogs finished in double figures and combined to hit 10 3-pointers with Hawley scoring 13 points and Gary Ricks Jr. adding 10. Quinton Upshur paced Northern Arizona with 20 points and Kris Yanku had 12.