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Drake University Athletics

Noah Thomas vs. Loyola

Men's Basketball Drake Athletic Communications

Men's Basketball Hosts Illinois State In Thursday Valley Tilt

The Drake University men's basketball team puts its 13-game home winning streak on the line Thursday night when it welcomes Illinois State to the Knapp Center for a 7 p.m tipoff.

Drake returns home with a 12-5 overall record and 2-2 mark in league play after suffering a setback last Saturday on the road at Valpo. However, in the Knapp Center, the Bulldogs own the nation's 16th-longest home win streak and are averaging nearly 80 points per game.

Illinois State, the last visiting team to win in the Knapp Center this season is 6-10 overall and 1-3 in the league after three-straight losses. 

Roman Penn leads the Bulldogs home as the Valley's Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season. Penn earned the honor after averaging 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists last week. He scored 21 points, one shy of a career high, on 9-of-15 shooting with a season-high eight rebounds and seven assists at Valparaiso. He began the week with 10 assists, his second-most of the second most of the season in the win over Loyola. Penn leads the Valley and ranks 23rd nationally in assists this season with 6.0 per game. 

Under the basket, Liam Robbins has continued his dominance and has scored in double-figures in nine-straight games including a 20-point night in his last home game in which he matched a school record with seven blocks.

Illinois State is winless away from its home campus this season and averaging 66.8 points per game with Zach Copeland's 14.3 points per game leading the way.

Following Thursday's home game, Drake goes on the road for two games at SIU and Evansville. 
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Players Mentioned

Roman Penn

#12 Roman Penn

G
5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
Liam Robbins

#21 Liam Robbins

F
7' 0"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Roman Penn

#12 Roman Penn

5' 11"
Redshirt Sophomore
G
Liam Robbins

#21 Liam Robbins

7' 0"
Sophomore
F