The Drake University men's basketball team takes its four-game win streak and unblemished 3-0 Missouri Valley Conference record to the banks of the Wabash River this weekend to face Indiana State. Saturday's contest between the Bulldogs and Sycamores is scheduled for 1 p.m. CST at the Hulman Center and will be broadcast on The Valley On ESPN3.
 
The Bulldogs improved to 3-0 in the league to remain in first place in the Valley after dismantling Illinois State, 87-62, Wednesday night in the Knapp Center. Senior Reed Timmer (New Berlin, Wis.) torched the Redbirds for 28 points to move into second all-time in career scoring at Drake with 1,659 points. Timmer connected on six three-pointers as the Bulldogs sank 15 three-pointers in the 25-point win.
 
Despite hitting 15 or more three-pointers in a game for the fourth time this season and scoring 80 or more points for the seventh time, defense has been key to the Bulldogs' quick start to the Valley race.
 
Drake's defense has held its last four opponents to less than 40 percent shooting from the field, a feat the Bulldogs have not accomplished since the first four games of the 2011-12 season. Additionally, the team has outrebounded two of its three MVC opponents with Nick McGlynn (Stoughton, Wis.) leading the way as he is averaging 10.3 rebounds per game in conference action.
 
Indiana State is 2-1 in the MVC with the lone loss coming in overtime at Illinois State. Jordan Barnes averages 16.7 points per game to lead the Sycamores this season.
 
Following Saturday's contest, the Bulldogs travel to MVC newcomer Valparaiso Wednesday, Jan. 10.