Holmes makes 3-pointer at the buzzer, Evansville beats Drake 56-53

Evansville beats Drake 56-53 at the buzzer

DES MOINES, Iowa — Denver Holmes’ 3-pointer at the buzzer lifted Evansville to a 56-53 victory over Drake on Saturday.

Holmes’ basket from 28 feet gave Evansville its second straight win. The Purple Aces (9-20, 3-15) beat No. 25 Northern Iowa 55-54 at home on Tuesday. They will face Missouri State in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament on Thursday in St. Louis.

Ned Cox scored 18 points and Colt Ryan added 16 as Evansville shot 50 percent from the field on Saturday.

Josh Young, with 16 points, was the only player in double figures for Drake (13-18, 7-11). Young’s basket with 8 seconds to play tied the game for the Bulldogs, who finished eighth in the Missouri Valley and will meet Southern Illinois in their first-round MVC game on Thursday.