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

Tremell Murphy scored a career-high 30 points and . 25 Drake rolled past Illiis State 95-60 on Monday night in Bulldogs' first game as a ranked team in nearly 13 years.

ShanQuan Hemphill h 18 points for Bulldogs (17-0, 8-0 Missouri Valley Conference), who improved to 37-4 in Knapp Center under coach Darian DeVries.

“It feels good, but you're never satisfied,” Murphy said. “You have to keep getting better.”

Antonio Reeves led Illiis State (5-12, 2-9) with 20 points.

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

“Obviously, we got ball moving a lot more,” Drake guard Roman Penn said. “Just getting moving and getting out in transition.”

Murphy finished 6 of 10 from 3-point range as Drake easily exceeded its aver of 82.2 points per game.

Drake grually built a double-digit le and went up 27-12 on consecutive 3-pointers by Murphy.

“He's been pretty solid all year,” DeVries said. “He just hasn't h that breakout night. Tonight was certainly that.”

Bulldogs hit 6 of 17 attempts from 3-point range in first half and led 39-24 at break.

Murphy continued his torrid shooting in second half, hitting a jumper that extended margin to 52-32. He followed with a 3-pointer and jumper that gave Drake a 65-38 vant with 11:42 remaining.

“We've been waiting on Tremell all year,” Penn said. “We're all happy for him.”

Illiis State finished 6 of 27 from beyond arc.

Drake is ranked for first time since March 2008. That was also last time Bulldogs earned an NCAA Tournament berth.

“I think it's nice recognition for our guys,” DeVries said. “I'm happy for m and what y've done to this point.”

BIG PICTURE

Drake began week one of three undefeated teams nationally and is off to best start in school history. Bulldogs are first team from Missouri Valley Conference to be ranked since 2017.

UP NEXT

Illiis State: Hosts Missouri State on Saturday and again on Sunday.

Drake: At Valparaiso on Saturday and again on Sunday.