DES MOINES — Reed Timmer scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half and Drake survived miserable 3-point shooting to beat Missouri State 61-58 on Saturday.

The victory left the Bulldogs (12-9, 6-2) alone atop the Missouri Valley Conference with Loyola of Chicago (5-1) playing Sunday.

The Bulldogs were only 3 of 26 from the arc. But Timmer broke the final tie with two free throws with six minutes left then added a layup and four more free throws in the final minute.

With Drake leading 60-58, the Bulldogs’ C.J. Rivers missed two free throws with nine seconds left but J.T. Miller missed a short jumper and Nick McGlynn, who had two big blocks late, grabbed the rebound.

Drake made its first 17 free throws until Rivers’ misses while the Bears were 5 of 7.

Jarrid Rhodes and Jarred Dixon scored 15 points each for Missouri State (15-6, 5-3).