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No. 25 Drake routs Illinois State 95-60 after return to poll

Sports

February 2nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Tremell Murphy scored 30 points and No. 25 Drake rolled past Illinois State 95-60 on Monday night in the Bulldogs’ first game as a ranked team in nearly 13 years. ShanQuan Hemphill had 18 points for the unbeaten Bulldogs, who improved to 37-4 in the Knapp Center under coach Darian DeVries. Antonio Reeves led Illinois State with 20 points.

Drake forward ShanQuan Hemphill, center, drives to the basket between Illinois State guard DJ Horne, left, and forward Abdou Ndiaye, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake won 95-60. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

The Bulldogs had little trouble with the Redbirds after struggling to a 78-76 overtime win in Sunday’s series opener. Reeves had 27 points in the first meeting.