The Drury Panthers are stepping onto the postseason stage tonight with a tough challenge ahead. As the No. 8 seed in the GLVC Tournament, Drury will take on top-seeded Rockhurst in St. Louis, a team known for its high-powered offense and physical style of play. Despite the matchup on paper, Head Coach Chris Foster believes the Panthers are peaking at the right time after finishing the regular season with one of their most complete performances in a big road win over Missouri S&T.

Catch the full interview with coach Chris Foster here:

Rockhurst enters the tournament with one of the most dangerous offenses in the conference, averaging nearly 87 points per game and featuring guards who excel at attacking the rim and drawing fouls. To compete, Foster says Drury will need to focus on finishing opportunities in the paint, limiting turnovers, and matching Rockhurst’s physicality, especially in transition where the Hawks thrive. Execution and discipline will be key as the Panthers look to pull off the upset.

Several players have helped fuel Drury’s late-season surge. Zach Howell has emerged as a reliable scoring option, while Colin Hardrick continues to impact the game in multiple ways, earning praise from Foster as the team’s “Swiss Army knife.” Their leadership has been especially important for a young roster that includes four freshmen in the Panthers’ seven-man rotation, giving the program a promising foundation for the future.

Beyond the tournament, Foster remains focused on building a sustainable program at Drury. Drawing influence from coaching mentors like Greg McDermott and Matt Woodley, he emphasizes development, culture, and commitment in an evolving college athletics landscape. With the tournament hosted at UMSL and a unique schedule that offers rest between games, the Panthers will look to capitalize on the opportunity and prove they belong among the conference’s best.