DES MOINES, Iowa- The Drake University men's basketball team fell, 79-73, to the visiting UMKC 'Roos Saturday evening at the Knapp Center.
Sophomore Reed Timmer (New Berlin, Wis.) led the Bulldogs with a game high 23 points by going 3-4 from the three-point range and 7-of-11 from the field. Junior Jacob Envevold Jensen (Lunderskov, Denmark) engineered the team's rebounding efforts with seven rebounds in addition to his two points while freshman Dominik Olejniczak (Torun, Poland) added seven points and six rebounds.
"Dominik learns every night out, but we have to get him more touches," said Drake head coach Ray Giacoletti. "Something good happens when he touches the ball down there, same with Jacob. We aren't selfish guys, but we have to do a better job of playing for each other. "
The first half was led by the 'Roos, until junior Kale Abrahamson (West Des Moines, Iowa), who finished with 18 points and two assists, completed a layup and a free-throw shortly after, putting the Bulldogs in the lead at 28-26 with less than six minutes left in the half. The Bulldogs were able to keep hold of that advantage to lead at the half, 41-37.
The teams swapped lead throughout the second with eight ties lasting 6:34 in the period or a total of 6:34 before UMKC went on a six-point run to lay claim to the final lead. Lavell Boyd led the 'Roos with 16 points in addition to his two assists and three rebounds. Shayok Shayok of UMKC led all players with eight rebounds in addition to his four points.
Drake shot 45.1 percent in the loss but could not contain UMKC's transition offense as the 'Roos scored 36 points in transition and converted on 50.9 percent of their shots while holding a six-rebound advantage on the glass.
The Bulldogs travel next to Estero, Fla., for the Gulf Coast Showcase Nov. 23-25 where they will play three games in three days starting with Western Kentucky on Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. CST. The Bulldogs return home on Saturday, Nov. 28 against UIC.
"I think the biggest thing (that will be taken from the trip to Florida) is coming together more and trusting each other defensively," Giacoletti said. "We have to learn to play selfless offensively for each other and find better chemistry on the trip. It is going to be great competition, but it will help us get better."
