The Drake University men's basketball won the tip in its exhibition against Drury University Thursday night and immediately went to work. On the Bulldogs' first possession senior Roman Penn drove from the right wing to lay in a two-point score and Drake's first test of the 2021-22 campaign was underway. On the next possession in his first touch as a Bulldog freshman Tucker DeVries let a three-pointer fly from the right wing that touched nothing but net.

Defensive intensity defined the first several minutes of play from the Bulldogs which force two turnovers in the Panthers first four possessions. Drury was forced into 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play as the Bulldogs clearly emphasized pressure on the ball and in passing lanes.

An and-one layup and free throw from Tank Hemphill at the 16:10 mark opened up a 10-6 advantage for the Bulldogs. Two minutes later with 14:19 left in the first half Penn lofted an alley-oop to Hemphill who punched home a two-handed jam. The flurry of offensive activity continued when Okay Djamgouz flushed a three from the left corner to give Drake a 18-9 advantage at the 13:49 mark.

A cutting reverse layup by Penn provided Drake with a 29-15 advantage at 7:42 heading into a media timeout. Coming out of the timeout, DeVries completed a four-point play on an assist from Garrett Sturtz. Back to back possessions featuring low post scores by Darnell Brodie, including an and-one bucket and free throw, extended the lead to 38-19 with 4:58 to play in the first half.

A back door cut pass from Nate Ferguson to Sturtz ended in a two-handed dunk. A corner three from Djamgouz at 1:57 and a 50-foot pass from Penn to Ferguson with 29 seconds to play rounded out the Bulldogs offensive first half of play in which they scored 19 field goals on 12 assists. DeVries led all scorers in the first half with 11 points.

Drake opened the second half with possession of the basketball and Penn again set the tone for the Bulldogs with a cutting layup down the lane. One minute later a tip in from Hemphill and a Tremell Murphy three extended the lead to 36 at 60-24. Meanwhile Drake kept up the defensive focus preventing the Panthers from scoring until the 15:39 mark of the second half.

A bounce pass in traffic from Ayo Akinwole to  Ferguson extended the lead to 72-27 and three-pointers on consecutive plays from Akinwole and Jonah Jackson extended the Bulldogs lead to 45 with 12:53 to play.

14 Bulldogs saw action in the teams lone exhibition.

Djamgouz led all scorers on his way to setting a new career high 16 points on four of eight shooting from three. Overall, the Bulldogs shot 55.5% from the field including nearly 43% from behind the arc. Drake led the rebounding advantage 44-33 and poured in 21 assists to 14 turnovers.

The game vs. Drury was Drake's lone exhibition of the season. Drake officially opens the 2021-22 season in a 7 p.m. contest vs. Coe College Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the Knapp Center. Tickets are available at draketix.com.