Roman Penn

DES MOINES — Roman Penn scored 18 points, including a jumper that put his team on top for good in overtime, as Drake narrowly beat Valparaiso 77-75 on Wednesday night at the Knapp Center.

The teams were tied 75-all when Penn hit a jumper that put the Bulldogs on top for good, 77-75, with three seconds remaining. Valparaiso’s Donovan Clay missed a 3-pointer as time expired.

“I thought our guys did a great job in the overtime of making the plays that they needed to make to win the game,” said Drake head coach Darian DeVries. “Roman hit the big shot to end it after missing one at the end of regulation and Anthony Murphy had another huge play as a senior, making a big-time block.”

Murphy’s block came with 33 seconds left when he pinned a Valpo shot against the glass to keep the score at 75-all. Garrett Sturtz collected the rebound and Penn dribbled down the shot clock before elevating over the defense to sink the eventual game-winner for the Bulldogs.

Liam Robbins had 21 points and 12 rebounds for Drake (18-10, 8-7 Missouri Valley Conference). Sturtz added 15 points and six rebounds. D.J. Wilkins had 11 points.

Mileek McMillan scored a career-high 20 points for the Crusaders (14-14, 7-8). Javon Freeman-Liberty added 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Clay had 15 points.

The Bulldogs leveled the season series against the Crusaders with the win. Valparaiso defeated Drake 66-61 on Jan. 11. Drake matches up against Illinois State on the road on Saturday. Valparaiso plays Bradley at home on Saturday.

Drake 77, Valparaiso 75, OT

At Des Moines

VALPARAISO (14-14) — McMillan 7-13 0-0 20, Freeman-Liberty 7-11 2-3 19, Robinson 0-8 0-0 0, Clay 6-11 3-4 15, Fazekas 4-11 2-2 14, Gordon 1-2 0-0 3, Krikke 2-6 0-0 4, Sackey 0-0 0-0 0, Morgan 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-63 7-9 75.

DRAKE (18-10) — Robbins 4-12 13-18 21, Jackson 0-3 0-0 0, A.Murphy 3-9 1-3 7, Penn 6-14 5-5 18, Wilkins 3-9 2-2 11, Sturtz 5-7 5-6 15, Thomas 2-5 0-0 5, Pilipovic 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-60 26-34 77.

Halftime–Drake 40-22. 3-Point Goals–Valparaiso 14-33 (McMillan 6-8, Fazekas 4-9, Freeman-Liberty 3-3, Gordon 1-2, Krikke 0-2, Clay 0-3, Robinson 0-6), Drake 5-17 (Wilkins 3-6, Thomas 1-1, Penn 1-2, Pilipovic 0-1, Robbins 0-1, Jackson 0-3, A.Murphy 0-3). Fouled Out–McMillan, Freeman-Liberty. Rebounds–Valparaiso 35 (Freeman-Liberty 7), Drake 34 (Robbins 12). Assists–Valparaiso 16 (Freeman-Liberty 6), Drake 15 (Thomas 5). Total Fouls–Valparaiso 20, Drake 14. A–3,783 (7,152).