Four plays that defined the Division II national championship game between Drury and Metro State that Drury won 74-73 Sunday at Philips Arena.
The run starts
Play: After a steal by Metro State guard Mitch McCarron, guard Brandon Jefferson hits a jumper in transition for a 20-17 Roadrunners lead with 9:18 left in the first half.
Result: The basket began a 21-5 run, many of the points scored in transition off turnovers and missed Drury shots, that built Metro State’s lead to 39-22, its largest of the game.
The counter
Play: Drury guard Drake Patterson answers a Metro State dunk by knocking down a 3-pointer with 17:26 to go in the second half.
Result: The basket began a 9-0 run that reduced Metro State’s lead from 13 to four and in the process ignited Drury’s crowd, which gave the Panthers a big lift throughout the game.
The foul-out
Play: Metro State guard Demetrius Miller fouls out with 2:09 remaining.
Result: Ahead 73-71 at the time, the Roadrunners were unable to score or hold onto the lead without Miller, an effective scorer and one of their go-to players in crunch time.
The free throws
Play: Drury guard Alex Hall goes 2-for-2 from the free-throw line with 22.8 seconds remaining to give the Panthers a 74-73 lead.
Result: Metro State couldn’t create a clear shot in its final possession and the game ended with players scrambling under the basket for control of the ball, giving Drury the title.
