Des Moines, IA. Drake defeats Bradley 86-61 at the Knapp Center in Des Moines IA.
Game Recap
The Braves and Bulldogs renewed the oldest rivalry in the MVC on Saturday night, playing each other for the 161st time with Drake taking the meeting 86-61. Bradley opened the first half well with
Duke Deen scoring eight of Bradley's first 10 points including two 3-pointers. The Braves would lead 10-4 headed into the games first media timeout.
Rienk Mast and
Zek Montgomery also connected in the opening first four minutes with Montgomery scoring on a back door court with Mast collecting the assist.
Early on
Malevy Leons's high motor was on full display for the Braves as he snagged multiple offensive rebounds and showed off his length on the defensive side for BU by adding another three blocks and a solo steal to his Missouri Valley Conference leading 30 blocks and 32 steals. Leons would finish with his fourth career points/rebounds double-double at 10 points and 10 rebounds. Early foul trouble prevented both Mast and Leons from getting in a rhythm in either half with Leons picking up two in the first half and Mast collecting three in the second half.
Heading into the half Bradley trailed 45-23 but came out of the gates swinging sparked by two more threes from
Duke Deen and a
Malevy Leons 3-point play. Deen for the fourth time this season collected three or more made 3-point shots on 7-16 shooting for 43%.
Rienk Mast also got going in the second half for BU by collecting double figure scoring for the 12th time this season in his 13 games played. Mast finished with 10 points to go along with his six boards.
Whats Next
Bradley will be in action next when they take on Indiana State on the road in Terre Haute, IN. This will be the only regular season meeting between the Braves and Sycamores with the MVC expanding to 12 teams and a 20 game conference schedule. The game is set for Wednesday night and will be streamed on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. central.