Simons, hot-shooting Drake down Evansville 69-60

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Ben Simons scored 17 points and Drake shot 61.4 percent to beat Evansville 69-60 on Friday night.

Aaron Hawley had 11 points for the Bulldogs (10-7, 3-3 Missouri Valley), who won their second in a row and notched their first road victory of the season.

Ryan Sawvell scored 14 points to pace the Purple Aces (7-9, 2-4), whose losing streak stretched to four. Denver Holmes added 12 points and Ned Cox 10.

The Bulldogs, who made 27 of 44 shots, started the game with a 6-0 run and expanded the lead to 30-13 with 8:47 left in the first half after back-to-back baskets by Kraidon Woods.

Evansville scored the last eight points of the first half and trailed 39-32 at the break but never took the lead.

The Purple Aces were outrebounded 38-21 but committed only 10 turnovers while forcing 22.

DRAKE (10-7)

Clarke 4-5 1-5 9, Jeffers 3-5 0-0 7, Simons 6-11 2-2 17, Madison 1-2 0-0 3, Rice 3-9 2-3 8, Hawley 4-4 1-5 11, Alexander 2-4 2-2 6, Parker 0-0 0-0 0, Woods 4-4 0-2 8, Smith 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-44 8-19 69.

EVANSVILLE (7-9)

Sawvell 7-9 0-1 14, Holmes 5-11 2-4 12, Taylor 1-3 5-6 7, Ryan 2-6 2-4 6, Harris 2-3 2-2 6, Nelson 0-3 0-0 0, Peeler 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 2-8 1-2 5, Moore 0-0 0-0 0, Cox 4-11 0-0 10, Cesnulevicius 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 23-54 12-19 60.

Halftime_Drake 39-32. 3-Point Goals_Drake 7-12 (Simons 3-5, Hawley 2-2, Madison 1-1, Jeffers 1-1, Rice 0-3), Evansville 2-12 (Cox 2-5, Ryan 0-1, Nelson 0-3, Holmes 0-3). Fouled Out_Madison, Ryan. Rebounds_Drake 38 (Clarke, Jeffers, Rice, Woods 6), Evansville 21 (Harris, Sawvell 6). Assists_Drake 18 (Jeffers, Madison 4), Evansville 13 (Holmes 6). Total Fouls_Drake 22, Evansville 17. A_4,027.