Quinn scores 20 for third time this season as Bulldogs can’t topple SEC foe

PHOTO: Drake defensive players Jalen Quinn (3), Brendan Appelhans (0), and Eli Shetlar (10) has LSU guard Dedan Thomas Jr. pull up with with the shot during play in the Emerald Coast Classic on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Destin Fla.

DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — Dedan Thomas Jr. had 18 points to propel unbeaten LSU to a 71-62 victory over Drake on Friday night at the Emerald Coast Classic.

Thomas made 6 of 14 shots with two 3-pointers for the Tigers (6-0). He was 4 of 8 from the free-throw line, adding five assists and four rebounds.

Michael Nowko totaled 14 points, eight rebounds and two blocks for LSU and Max Mackinnon scored 11.

Jalen Quinn topped Drake (4-3) with 20 points and six rebounds. Jaehshon Thomas hit four 3-pointers and scored 16, while reserve Griffen Goodbary pitched in with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Nwoko and reserve Rashad King both had eight points in the first half to help LSU take a 38-24 lead into the break. Quinn had 11 points to account for nearly half of the Drake offense.

Goodbary had a three-point play to give the Bulldogs a 12-10 lead, but Thomas had a 3-pointer and a layup in a 10-0 run and the Tigers cruised into halftime.

Quinn hit a 3-pointer to cap a 10-4 run to begin the second half and Drake pulled within 42-34.

After LSU used a 13-6 spurt to push its advantage to 15, the Bulldogs battled back and cut it to 55-46 with 7:50 left on back-to-back 3-pointers by Thomas. Goodbary’s 3-pointer cut it to 66-60 with 52 seconds left, but the Bulldogs would get no closer.

Team Notes
•The Bulldogs now have an overall record of 4-3 and are 1-1 in neutral site contests.
•Drake was held to a season-low in field goal percentage (36.1) on 22-of-61 shooting.
•Drake was slightly outrebounded, 41-34, but tallied six offensive boards to five by LSU.
•Drake and LSU matched each other in turnovers forced with seven a side.
•The Bulldogs scored nine points off turnovers compared to seven by LSU.
•Drake tallied five second chance points and held the Tigers to just three.
 
Individual Notes
•Jalen Quinn tied his career-high with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field. This marked his third 20-point game of the season.
•Freshman forward Griffen Goodbary had a career night scoring 10 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists.
•Jaehshon Thomas went for double figures pouring in a season-high 16 points. The senior led the Bulldogs from beyond the arc connecting on 4-of-6 from deep.
 
The Series
•Drake falls to 0-2 all-time against LSU.

Up next

LSU will play DePaul for the tournament championship on Saturday. Drake will play Georgia Tech for third place prior to the title game.