Jan. 17, 2010
Box Score 
DES MOINES, Iowa - Drake built a 20-point lead and never looked back, as Illinois State never led in a 69-59 loss Sunday night at the Knapp Center, despite 26-second half points by Osiris Eldridge.
With the loss, the Redbirds fell to 13-5 on the season and 4-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Drake won its third-straight and improved to 8-11 and 3-4, respectively.
Illinois State was able to cut the deficit to 10 points late in the second half, at 69-59, thanks to Eldridge's second-half effort, but the Redbirds couldn't get any closer.
The Redbirds missed their first eight three-point field goals and started the game on 3-for-16 shooting, as Drake held a commanding 35-15 lead at the half. Adam Templeton paced the Bulldogs with 14 first-half points, while Eldridge was held scoreless in the games' first 20 minutes.
Eldridge was the only Redbird in double-digit scoring, while Drake was led by Josh Young's 18 points. Templeton finished with a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
The Redbirds are back in action Wednesday on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, when Illinois State hosts Creighton at 7:05 p.m.
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