Des Moines, Iowa (RI) – Drake raced out to a 21-0 lead to start the game in a 74-57 win over Illinois-Chicago in Des Moines.
Junior guard Bennett Stirtz scored 25 points and added seven assists as the Bulldogs bounced back from a loss to Bradley.
Drake maintained the lead in the Missouri Valley race with a record of 14-3. The Bulldogs have a Sunday showdown with second place UNI in Cedar Falls.
Drake coach Ben McCollum says defense set the tone.