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WICHITA, Kan. -- Wichita State went to the Final Four last year, yet there was something missing for that team: a Missouri Valley Conference championship. This season the Shockers were focused on not letting that happen. So after No. 3 Wichita State routed Drake 83-54 Saturday night behind Tekele Cottons 21 points and Darius Carters 15, the Shockers relished cutting down the nets to celebrate a conference title that seemed like a foregone conclusion some time ago. "It means a lot, it really does," said point guard Fred VanVleet, who had 15 points and six assists. "Its something we didnt do last year. Its special, and we appreciate it. But, at the same time, we have more goals ahead of us." Wichita State (29-0, 16-0 Missouri Valley) is the first team to start 29-0 since Illinois in 2004-05 and is two wins away from a perfect regular season. The Shockers cruised despite leading scorer Cleanthony Early being held to a season-low three points and Ron Baker only scoring six, less than half his season average. Daddy Ugbede scored 14 points, Jordan Daniels had 13 and Aaron Hawley 10 for Drake (14-14, 5-11), which had more turnovers (20) than field goals (18). Drake coach Ray Giacoletti can compare this seasons Wichita State team to that of a year ago. He was an assistant at Gonzaga last season, and the top-seeded Bulldogs lost to the Shockers in the NCAA Tournament. "Its a much better basketball team now than it was at that time," Giacoletti said. "Ive been doing this 29 years and have been around a lot of great teams that try to outscore you and out-talent you. This team tries to out-tough you in every single facet and really doesnt care about the other stuff." That toughness was flaunted in a 31-4 run Wichita State wrapped around halftime, an onslaught so complete that the Shockers completed the 14-1 portion to start the second half without Drake even attempting a field goal. After trailing early, the Bulldogs held the Shockers scoreless for over 3 minutes, going on a 9-0 run capped by Hawleys backdoor layup for a 15-14 lead with 9:18 remaining in the first half. To make matters worse for Wichita State, Early was on the bench with two fouls and Baker soon joined him with his second. But Wichita State started the game-turning run behind Carter, a reserve who scored four straight before the Shockers started a parade of baskets at the rim. "I thought Darius gave us a huge lift tonight," Shockers coach Gregg Marshall said. "He was really active." VanVleet and Cotton had layups. Cotton and Nick Wiggins had back-to-back slams. VanVleets 3-pointer helped Wichita State lead 31-18 at halftime. The Shockers roll only gained momentum to start the second half. After Drakes Seth VanDeest made a free throw, Wichita State scored 14 straight. Cotton and Carter converted three-point plays to get it started and Carter had another slam. And Kadeem Coleby and VanVleet put back offensive rebounds, bringing roars from the crowd. The Shockers led 45-19 with 16:35 remaining, and Drake seemed befuddled. Much of that had to do with Cotton, who had seven steals in the game. "Was there two Tekele Cottons out there?" Marshall asked, joking. "It sure seemed like it." Cotton said his approach was simple. "I just try to get in position where they dont see me," he said. "Sometimes I can get in the passing lanes and get it. Sometimes, I dont." Hawley ended the run with a 3-pointer 15 seconds later, the Bulldogs first shot attempt of the half. After that, the Shockers could sub liberally and soon start celebrating an outright Missouri Valley title, actually clinched earlier in the day when Indiana State lost. "Hopefully," Marshall said, "this isnt our only championship." Teemu Selanne Jersey . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. Colorado Avalanche Jerseys . He also had some help Monday night.Hibbert scored a season-high 29 points to help Indiana beat the Utah Jazz 97-86 Monday night, ending the Pacers six-game losing streak. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-rob-ramage-avalanche-jersey/ . - Vince Carter, heading into his 17th NBA season, doesnt consider age a big issue anymore. Adam Foote Jersey . Seth Smith hit a towering drive for a tying homer leading off the eighth and Chris Denorfia singled home two runs to give the Padres a 3-1 victory against the rival Dodgers in baseballs North American opener Sunday night. John Wensink Jersey .Y. -- AJ Allmendingers journey is almost complete.ARLINGTON, Texas - LeSean McCoy said beating Dallas with the NFC East lead on the line felt a lot like last year, when Philadelphia wrapped up a playoff berth in the Cowboys $1.2 billion stadium.Theres one big difference for the Eagles, though: They might have to do it again in a rematch on their home field next month to make sure they get back to the post-season.McCoy ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, Mark Sanchez had his first scoring run in almost three years and the Philadelphia defence took advantage of a ragged Tony Romo in a 33-10 victory Thursday.This is only the first half, linebacker Connor Barwin said. We have them again in two weeks and we need to back it up again. The same way we did today, if not even better.The Eagles (9-3) opened with quick drives of 80 and 88 yards for touchdowns. They took sole possession of the division lead with four games remaining, including the Dec. 14 rematch.Were not into statements, Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly said. Weve given ourselves the opportunity to play meaningful football in December, and in this league, every week is a whole different deal, a whole different animal.McCoy, who led the NFL with 1,604 yards rushing last season, had his fourth 100-yard game in the past seven after going without one through the first five weeks. He secured his fourth 1,000-yard season since 2010, and the Eagles improved to 6-0 on Thanksgiving.Although his deficit to Dallas DeMarco Murray in the rushing race is probably insurmountable, McCoy outgained Murray, who was held under 100 yards for just the second time this season.Murray finished with 73 yards and Dallas only touchdown on 20 carries, the last a 6-yard loss when he was dropped by Mychal Kendricks on fourth-and-1 early in the fourth quarter.I dont really compare myself, said McCoy, who had a season-high 25 carries. I just try to be me. I dont really get into that whole, especially during the season, whos this, whos that thing. In the big picture, were trying to win games.Things to consider after Philadelphia won its first Thanksgiving meeting with Dallas since 1989, a 27-0 win for the Eagles in Jerry Jones first season as owner of the Cowboys:RAGGED ROMO: The 34-year-old Romo wasnt around for last years playoffs-or-bust finale because he was two days removed from back surgery. This time he was trying to play in a quick turnaround for the first time — about 90 hours after a dramatic win at the New York Giants — and following yet another back injury.ddddddddddddHe threw two interceptions and didnt have a touchdown pass for the first time in 39 games as the Cowboys (8-4) dropped their third straight at home.It was definitely short just from the Sunday night coming to here, said Romo, who was 18 of 29 for 199 yards. I dont really think that had much to do with the outcome of the game. I think they just played better than us.SMOOTH SANCHEZ: Making his fourth start since Nick Foles was sidelined by a broken collarbone, Sanchez was 9 of 11 for 99 yards in the first quarter. That included a 27-yard scoring pass to Jordan Matthews when Sanchez hit the rookie in stride on a crossing route for a 14-0 lead.Sanchez finished 20 of 29 for 217 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions two years after he was the starter for the New York Jets and infamously ran into the backside of one of his offensive linemen for a fumble that New England returned for a touchdown in a 49-19 Thanksgiving rout.It is like my favourite holiday, so thats not cool, Sanchez said. It was a bummer. The game plan was to try not to do that. And we accomplished that.This time, Sanchez had his first scoring run since Dec. 24, 2011, with the Jets — a 2-yarder after faking a handoff to McCoy on the zone read. McCoy set up the games first touchdown with a 38-yard run.HOME WOES: The Cowboys are 5-0 on the road, which means all four of their losses have come in Jones spacious, retractable-roof showplace. Im disappointed because this was a great day ... we had a great Thanksgiving Day crowd, the stage was set, Jones said.MACLINS MILESTONE: Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin secured his first career 1,000-yard season with 108 yards, including a 58-yard catch to set up one of Cody Parkeys three second-quarter field goals. Parkey had four field goals total, the longest from 31 yards.STILL WAITING: Cowboys defensive tackle Josh Brent was inactive for the second time since the end of a 10-game suspension for his intoxication manslaughter conviction. He hasnt played since Dec. 2, 2012, six days before the drunken-driving crash that killed teammate Jerry Brown.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler ' ' '