DES MOINES, Iowa — The Drake University men’s basketball team knocked down a season-high 15 3-pointers and went more than half the game before committing a turnover as the Bulldogs rolled past Chicago State, 87-50 at the Knapp Center on Wednesday evening (Dec. 22).
“We were able to find another game on short notice,” head coach Darian DeVries said. “I liked our approach today. We have shared the basketball well in these last two games. Hopefully, we can build on this coming out of the break.”
Senior Ayo Akinwole and freshman Tucker DeVries led the Bulldogs (9-4) with 14 points each in the team’s second straight game arranged at the last minute. It was a season high for Akinwole, who transferred in from Omaha, as were his four 3-point baskets.
Drake had been scheduled to play Saint Louis in Las Vegas on Wednesday afternoon, but that game was canceled because of COVID protocols in the Saint Louis program. Chicago State originally was to have been Drake’s opponent this past Sunday, but had to call that game off. Drake played UT Martin instead, winning 80-54.
However, the Cougars were cleared to play at Iowa State on Tuesday night and agreed to play at Drake on Wednesday, starting only 20 hours after finishing a 79-48 loss to the Cyclones.
The Bulldogs trailed only once, at 3-0, and did its early scoring in threes. DeVries sank three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt and five of the first six baskets came from behind the arc. Drake didn’t get a 2-point basket until Brodie made a reverse layup with some slick footwork under the basket.
After missing its first seven shots, Drake went 15-for-24 the rest of the first half in building a 43-25 lead. The Bulldogs then started the second half with a 23-4 run to blow it open. Tremell Murphy hit two 3s in that burst, while Akinwole and Djamgouz each made one. The highlight came when Murphy stole the ball and flipped it to Djamgouz, who lobbed it back to Murphy for a two-handed dunk.
Later, DeVries lobbed the ball perfectly to Nate Ferguson for another two-handed slam. The Bulldogs’ biggest lead came at 87-43 on Deven Dahlke’s layup. Dahlke also hit a 3 for five points — his first points of the season.
11 players saw action for the Bulldogs and nine scored.
D.J. Wilkins added 13 points for Drake, 12 in the first half, and Darnell Brodie scored 10 to go with seven rebounds.
DeVries reached double figures for the seventh straight game and matched his career high with eight rebounds. Okay Djamgouz added nine points, while Garrett Sturtz finished with eight points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Drake went 15-for-32 from 3-point range with Akinwole going 4-for-6 and Djamgouz 3-for-5. Drake did not commit a turnover until the 16:13 mark in the second half and finished with a season-low five.
“I really like how Ayo has been playing,” DeVries said. “He is steady and knocks down open shots. He doesn’t turn it over much. Ayo has done a great job as he has gotten more comfortable here.”
Drake shot 50 percent for the game (32-for-64) — the fourth time this season the Bulldogs made at least half their shots.
Coreyoun Rushin led Chicago State (4-9) with 13 points. The Cougars shot just 29.5 percent overall and went 8-for-31 from 3-point range.
The victory was Drake’s 31st straight in nonconference play at home. The Bulldogs play their final nonconference game of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 28, meeting Mount Marty at the Knapp Center at 7 p.m.
