Have you ever watched an underdog team shock everyone with an upset victory in March Madness?
That’s exactly what happened when Drake faced Missouri in the NCAA Tournament.
College basketball fans love it when a smaller program takes down a major conference team on the biggest stage. These moments create memories that last for years and change programs forever.
In this blog, I’ll show you the complete story behind this historic matchup.
You’ll learn about their past meetings, what happened during the game, which players stepped up, and what this result means for both teams going forward.
What’s the History Between Drake and Missouri?
The basketball rivalry between these teams started on February 14, 1910, when Missouri won 28-7 in Des Moines, Iowa. Before their 2025 meeting, Missouri led the all-time series 27-7 across 34 games.
Missouri built an impressive 11-game win streak from 1910 to 1922, including a dominant 53-16 victory in 1920. Drake’s best moment came in 1924 when they secured two straight wins against the Tigers.
After the 1920s, matchups between these programs became rare. Missouri won seven of the last 10 games before 2025, with close finishes like 63-62 in 1952 and 76-74 in 1987.
This history shows Missouri’s edge as a Power Five program against mid-major Drake, making their 2025 tournament meeting especially significant for the Bulldogs.
Drake vs Missouri Game Overview
The two teams played on March 20, 2025, at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. This was part of the NCAA Tournament, which is college basketball’s biggest competition.
The Teams:
- Drake was ranked as the 11th seed with a 30-3 record
- Missouri was ranked as the 6th seed with a 22-11 record
Drake won their conference championship before this game. Missouri earned its spot by having a good season in the SEC.
These teams hadn’t played each other in almost 38 years. Most people expected Missouri to win because Drake was the underdog by 5.5 points.
The game was shown on truTV, so fans across the country could watch. Ben McCollum coached Drake in his first year, while Missouri brought more experience.
What Was the Final Score of Drake vs Missouri?
Drake defeated Missouri 67-57.
Drake pulled off the upset with a 10-point victory over Missouri. The Bulldogs proved everyone wrong who expected them to lose by 5.5 points.
Game Control:
- Drake led from start to finish
- Held Missouri to only 57 points total
- Never let Missouri take the lead
Drake’s defense stayed strong throughout both halves. Missouri tried to come back, but couldn’t close the gap when it mattered most.
The 67-57 final score showed Drake’s ability on both ends of the court. Their offense scored enough while their defense stopped Missouri’s attempts.
This win sent Drake to the next round of the tournament. For Missouri, its season came to an end with this first-round loss.
How Did the Game Unfold from Start to Finish?
Bennett Stirtz scored Drake’s first points from the free-throw line to get things started. Missouri’s Anthony Robinson II missed two early free throws, giving Drake an early advantage.
In the first half, Drake took control by halftime with a 30-23 lead. Stirtz hit several layups and three-pointers to keep the scoreboard moving. Cam Manyawu and Caleb Grill added key baskets to extend the lead.
In the second half, Missouri tried to fight back with free throws from Mark Mitchell and Tony Perkins. Tamar Bates made layups while Aidan Shaw hit some three-pointers to cut the gap.
Drake kept momentum with Isaia Howard and Tavion Banks scoring in the paint. Mitch Mascari and Daniel Abreu also added points from outside and mid-range.
Missouri missed several three-pointers in the final minutes. Drake made their free throws at the end to secure the victory.
Which Players Made the Biggest Impact for Drake?
Bennett Stirtzled the way with 21 points, making him the top scorer in the game. He hit multiple three-pointers and layups from different spots on the court while also helping teammates score with good passes.
Tavion Banksscored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds to control the paint area. He made layups, dunks, and free throws while fighting for rebounds on both ends of the court throughout the game.
Caleb Grilladded 10 points when Drake needed them most. He made all three of his free-throw attempts and hit a three-pointer plus some layups at important moments.
Other Key Players:
→ Isaia Howard: 8 points with dunks and a three-pointer
→ Mitch Mascari: 7 points from layups and a three-pointer
These bench players provided extra scoring when the starters needed a break.
Where Did Missouri Struggle During the Game?
Missouri faced several problems that cost them the game, starting with their poor free-throw shooting throughout the contest.
Robinson II, Mitchell, and Perkins missed multiple free-throw attempts that could have helped them close the score gap.
Field goal shooting was another major issue for the Tigers, as they shot just 34.8% in the first half.
Warrick and Crews missed several three-pointers, while Bates and Perkins couldn’t connect on layups when they had open chances.
Defensive Problems:
- Lost the rebounding battle slightly
- Allowed too many easy points in the paint
- Couldn’t stop Drake’s inside scoring
Missouri turned the ball over too many times, which led to easy fast-break points for Drake. They also failed to create enough defensive stops during critical moments of the game.
How Did Team Statistics Shape the Outcome?
The numbers tell the full story of how Drake controlled this game from start to finish. Their statistics in key areas made the difference between winning and losing.
| Category | Drake | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Points in Paint | 38 | 22 |
| Field Goal % | 54.3% | 39% |
| Assists | 18 | Lower |
| Steals | 13 | 5 |
| Points off Turnovers | 23 | Fewer |
| Rebounds | 31 | 29 |
| Free Throws Made | 12 of 24 | 14 of 22 |
Drake’s 38-22 advantage in paint points came from making better shots near the basket. Their 13 steals led to 23 points off turnovers, helping them control the game’s pace.
Why Is This Win So Important for Drake’s Program?
This victory holds major significance for Drake basketball.
The team hadn’t won a main-bracket NCAA game since 1971, and their last tournament win came in the 2021 First Four round.
Drake finished with a school-record 31 wins for the season. The victory moved them to the second round with Sweet 16 chances ahead.
Program Impact:
→ Validates Coach McCollum’s first-year rebuild
→ Boosts national recruiting appeal
→ Increases program visibility nationwide
Defeating Missouri highlights the team’s steady improvement and gives new energy to both fans and future players.
Disclaimer: The information shared here is based on publicly available sources and current estimates. This content is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as exact or official data.
Wrapping It Up
Drake’s victory over Missouri proves that hard work and solid team play can beat bigger programs in March Madness.
The Bulldogs showed everyone that mid-major teams deserve respect when tournament time arrives.
This game will be remembered as a turning point for Drake basketball. Coach McCollum built something special in his first season that fans will talk about for decades to come.
The upset sends a message to future recruits and raises the program’s profile across college basketball. Drake now has momentum heading into their next tournament challenge.
What did you think about this game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
