Joshua Palmer led four Panthers in double-figures with 15 points and Drury knocked off No. 20 Indianapolis 77-65 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action Thursday night from the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
Kameron Bundy – scoreless at halftime – joined Tevin Fosterand Lucciano Gamiz is posting 14 points each as the Panthers improved to 9-5 overall and 4-2 in the GLVC.
Indianapolis, which had a nine-game winning streak snapped, fell to 10-3 overall and 4-1 in the league.
The Panthers bolted to a 39-29 halftime advantage largely on holding the Greyhounds to 30 percent shooting (9 of 30) over the first 20 minutes. Drew Moore had 11 of his 12 rebounds in the first half, posting his fourth double-figure rebounding effort in his last five games, and just missed being the fifth DU player to score in double figures (nine points).
Palmer reached double figures for the sixth straight game for the Panthers.
"We did some good things … we got in a (defensive) stance a little better," Drury coach Steve Hesser said. "We've still got to rebound the dang basketball better, but we did some good things. We moved the ball on offense and we got (production) from others, and we did it with Bundy struggling, which is even more impressive. I don't think he had scored at halftime, and still, we were up 10."
Drury shot 51 percent from the field for the game after making 12 of 20 shots (60 percent) in the second half. After Jordan Loyd made a 3-pointer to start the half, the Greyhounds never got closer than eight after that. DU pushed the lead as high as 15 (58-43) down the stretch.
The Panthers finished with a 33-31 rebounding advantage, and forced 21 turnovers by the Greyhounds, but committed 18 themselves.
Indianapolis finished at 39 percent (20 of 52) from the field for the contest, including an 8-for-25 effort (32 percent) from 3-point range.
Loyd had 25 points, including six 3-pointers, to lead the Greyhounds, who lost for the fourth straight time at The O'.
Drury is back in action at home on Saturday for GLVC play, entertaining Saint Joseph's in a 3:15 p.m. tipoff. It's the annual "Educator Appreciation Day," with all area teachers and administrators (current and retired), and their families, admitted for free by presenting a school ID at the gate. For tickets, call (417) 873-6389. Kids 12 and under always are free for regular season games at The O'.
