The Drake University men’s basketball team is headed to Kissimmee, Fla. for the ESPN Events Invitational. In their first matchup, the Bulldogs will take on future MVC foe Belmont on Thursday Nov. 25 at 6pm CST.
Drake arrives in Kissimmee with a 3-0 record, after defeating Richmond, 73-70, on Nov. 20. The Bulldogs were paced by senior Tremell Murphy’s 18 points, seven rounds and one block. Murphy shot four for eight from the arc.
Freshman Tucker DeVries helped the Bulldogs late in the second half to gain back the lead against Richmond. With 4:25 left in the game, DeVries hit a 3-pointer for Drake to trail by one.
Roman Penn added 12 points and four assists to the books.
Garrett Sturtz led the Bulldogs in rebounds with nine. He also added eight points and one steal to the stats.
Belmont lost to LSU by 30 on Monday Nov. 22. The Bruins trailed the Tigers by 13 at halftime but were unable to gain the lead.
The Bruins were led by guard Will Richard, who recorded 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
Belmont was picked to finish finished in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Bruins have earned 14 postseason invitations in the last 16 years and won 20 conference championships dating back to 2006.
After facing the Bruins, the Bulldogs will meet with either Iona or Alabama on Friday Nov. 26.
