Valparaiso Outlasts Drake 81-76 Behind Pettigrew's Double-Double

Valparaiso's JT Pettigrew stole the show at the Knapp Center, leading his team to an 81-76 win over Drake. Pettigrew's impressive double-double, consisting of 23 points and 12 rebounds, was the driving force behind Valparaiso's victory. Despite a strong performance from Drake's Jalen Quinn, who scored 33 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome Valparaiso's balanced attack.

The game was closely contested from the start, with Valparaiso taking a slim 38-40 lead into halftime. However, it was the second half where Valparaiso began to pull away, outscoring Drake 43-36. Rakim Chaney and Brody Whitaker provided significant support for Pettigrew, scoring 20 and 13 points, respectively. Drake's Eli Shetlar and Isaiah Carr also had notable performances, scoring 15 and 14 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Valparaiso's strong team effort.

CHD Scout had predicted a narrow Drake victory, with a predicted score of 74-73 in favor of the Bulldogs. However, Valparaiso's performance was too much for Drake, as they secured a 5-point win. This outcome marks a significant deviation from the predicted result, with Valparaiso outperforming expectations.

The win is a notable addition to Valparaiso's resume, as it falls under the Q3 category. With a current net ranking of 162, Valparaiso want to build on this momentum to strengthen their tournament chances. On the other hand, the loss is a Q4 defeat for Drake, which may hinder their already slim postseason hopes. Drake's current net ranking of 173 makes it an uphill battle to secure a tournament spot.

Valparaiso's ability to close out the game and secure the win will be a crucial aspect of their tournament resume. With Pettigrew and Chaney leading the charge, Valparaiso has the potential to make a deep run in the postseason. As for Drake, they must regroup and focus on their remaining games to try and salvage their tournament hopes. The loss to Valparaiso serves as a reminder that every game counts, and Drake cannot afford to drop many more contests if they want to stay in the conversation.