Drake Men’s Basketball Secures Second Consecutive Win

The Drake men’s basketball team made history on Saturday, Jan. 24, by securing its second consecutive victory with a decisive 76-62 win over Indiana State at the Hulman Center. The Bulldogs (11-10, 5-5 MVC) showcased a strong start and maintained their lead throughout the game, demonstrating resilience and growth under head coach Eric Henderson.

From the outset, the Bulldogs displayed an aggressive offensive approach. Owen Larson continued his impressive performance, building on his career-high 22-point effort against Murray State. The sophomore started the game with three consecutive field goals, including two three-pointers, which energized the entire team and set the tone for the contest.

Drake’s defense also played a crucial role in the early success. The Bulldogs forced five turnovers by the first media timeout, converting these opportunities into nine points, primarily through fast breaks led by Jalen Quinn. This combination of offensive firepower and defensive intensity allowed Drake to take an early 12-4 lead.

However, the momentum was not sustained throughout the first half. A cold spell hit the Bulldogs, as they struggled with a scoring drought that lasted over three minutes. During this time, the team shot just 1-of-12 from the field, allowing Indiana State to narrow the deficit to 19-18 with 7:25 remaining in the half.

Despite this lull, Drake managed to regain control with a string of three successful shots, extending their lead to five points. Another offensive slump followed, but the Bulldogs ended the half with a final scoring drought of over five minutes, still holding a 26-24 advantage at halftime.

Larson and Quinn were instrumental in the first half, combining for 21 of Drake’s 26 points. However, the rest of the team struggled, shooting just 2-for-18 from the field, resulting in a 30% field goal percentage for the first 20 minutes of play.

Second Half Surge

The second half saw a shift in momentum as Quinn provided a much-needed offensive boost, scoring nine points in just under five minutes. Okku Federiko added five points, including an and-one opportunity, helping Drake maintain its lead. Although Indiana State kept the game competitive, Drake managed to stay ahead throughout the half.

At the under-eight media timeout, Drake held a four-point lead, 54-50, after Andrew Alia sank a floater off the glass. With 6:04 remaining, the Bulldogs launched a pivotal 10-2 run, starting with back-to-back three-pointers from Larson and Alia. Quinn added a pull-up jumper, and Alia converted two free throws, stretching the lead to 64-55.

Drake carried this momentum into the final minutes, successfully fending off late pressure from Indiana State and securing the win through consistent free-throw shooting.

Coach Henderson Reflects on Team Growth

Head coach Eric Henderson praised his team’s progress following the game. “We’re making strides,” he said. “This team has grown a lot. I’m just really proud of them and to be able to continue to bounce back. Today, we got off to such a great start and had a little bit of lag at the end of the half. We were really struggling scoring the basketball. It was kind of a clunky game there for a little while, but it got a little more fluid in the second half and we put the pedal to the floor.”

Upcoming Game

Drake will return to Des Moines for its next matchup, hosting Evansville at the Knapp Center on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The game is scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT.