DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University men's basketball team picked up its third win of the 2014-15 season Monday night with an 84-62 victory over the Simpson Storm Monday evening at the Knapp Center. Senior guard Jordan Daniels (Fontana, Calif.) led the Bulldogs with a season-high 24 points in the contest. 

Daniels' 24 points were also the highest individual total for a Drake player on the young season, though he gave his teammates the credit for his scoring success.

“I was able to find gaps with the ball and take what the defense gave me,” Daniels said.  “It all came from my teammates doing their thing.”

Freshman guard Reed Timmer (New Berlin, Wis.) pitched in 19 points and six assists for Drake (3-9), which will now enter Missouri Valley Conference play next week.   Simpson (5-6) was led by senior guard Charles Swain, who threw in 21 points thanks to 4-of-7 shooting from behind the arc. 

After being tied 17-17 with 11 minutes to go in the first half, the Bulldogs went on a 29-9 run to close out the half and take firm control of their final non-conference game.  Drake's 46 points in the first 20 minutes tied its season high in a single half so far this season.

The Bulldogs also tallied their season-best shooting performance in the win, going 30-of-47 (.611) from the field on the evening.

Head coach Ray Giacoletti said he was pleased to see his team head into the holiday break with a convincing home win.

“We've had an extremely tough non-conference schedule so to have a good taste in our mouth before the kids go home with their families for a couple days; that's exactly what we needed,” Giacoletti said.

Next up for the Bulldogs is a date with highly-ranked Wichita State, which visits the Knapp Center Wednesday, Dec. 31, to open up the conference slate.  The Bulldogs lost both of their match-ups with the Shockers a season ago, but senior guard Gary Ricks, Jr. (Los Angeles, Calif.), who had 10 points, five assists and six rebounds Monday, is excited for the challenge.

“It's a great opportunity for us,” Ricks said. “I know Coach (Giacoletti) will come up with a great plan and we'll try our best to execute it.”

That contest will tip off at 5:05 p.m. in the Knapp Center and will be broadcast regionally on Mediacom MC22.