Drake confused after clinching title

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Drake had no idea what to do.

The Bulldogs had just clinched their first Missouri Valley Conference title in 37 years, and first-year coach Keno Davis and his players were blissfully unaware of how to celebrate.

Drake can be forgiven for its naivete. Until this magical season, the 14th-ranked Bulldogs never had a reason to cut down the nets.

Adam Emmenecker scored 13 points and Drake clinched its first Valley title since 1971 with a 65-55 victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday.

Leonard Houston and Josh Young both had 12 points for the Bulldogs (23-2, 14-1), who bounced back from a 65-62 loss at Southern Illinois on Wednesday -- their first since November -- by outscoring Northern Iowa 17-7 down the stretch.

"It's surreal," Young said. "Everybody's excited. We're definitely proud of the effort the team has put forth. But I don't think it's quite sunk in yet."

This wasn't supposed to happen so quickly for the Bulldogs. They were picked to finish ninth in the Valley, and last season was their first with a record over .500 since 1987.

As they walked off the court, Young and Emmenecker asked each other what the protocol was for winning a title on an opponent's court. Neither knew. Drake settled for a raucous celebration in the visitor's locker room, dumping water on each other's heads as though it were champagne.

"It's good for our players to enjoy it tonight," Davis said. "I hope we have a chance to cut down the nets in our facility."