Final Score: Drake 74, Eastern Illinois 56

Des Moines, IA (Sports Network) - Micah Mason scored 19 points for the Drake Bulldogs who beat the Eastern Illinois Panthers, 74-56, at the Knapp Center in a non-conference competition.

Mason was 7-of-8 from the field including 5-of-6 from three-point range while also dishing out a game-high six assists for Drake (6-5) which won its third game in four outings. Ben Simons (14 points) and Chris Hines (11 points) each were 3-of-4 from beyond the arc while Seth VanDeest scored 10 points to go along with three blocks and two steals.

Eastern Illinois (3-10) suffered its sixth straight loss despite a strong performance by Sherman Blanford, who was 8-of-10 from the field for 18 points while also pulling down a game-high seven rebounds. Morris Woods added 10 points and five rebounds in the loss.

Drake led 33-26 at halftime after shooting 57.9 percent from the field in the first half.

The second half was much like the first as the Bulldogs shot 54.6 percent from the field and outscored the Panthers 41-30.

Drake was 13-of-22 from three-point range through the game while EIU was just 6-of-17.

12/22 17:50:33 ET