ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I. – The Drake men's basketball team has a lot to celebrate after a 71-64 victory over Tarleton State in the Paradise Jam final on Monday (Nov. 21) inside the Sports and Fitness Center. The Bulldogs (5-0) overcame intense defense by the Texans (3-2) to claim the Paradise Jam title, Tucker DeVries was named tournament MVP and head coach Darian DeVries earned his 100^th career victory.

"I have been able to see the work he (Darian DeVries) has put in over the last five years," Tucker DeVries said. "To be a part of No. 100 is truly special and I'm so thankful that we are able to do this together."
 
DeVries scored a game-high 22 points on perfect 5-for-5 shooting from the field (4-for-4 from behind the arc). He also hauled in eight rebounds and did not miss from the free throw line (8-for-8). Garrett Sturtz notched a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Roman Penn added 14 points while D.J. Wilkins connected on a trio of 3-pointers finishing with 11 on the scoreboard.
 
"This group is about playing for each other," Tucker DeVries said. "We love playing with each other and that's what makes the game fun. When everybody is selfless and has the end goal of winning, it makes basketball more exciting."

A quartet of three-point plays began the scoring for Drake with D.J. Wilkins draining a straightaway trifecta less than a minute into the contest. A Garrett Sturtz old-fashioned three-point play, Penn triple and another perfect outside shot by Wilkins provided a 12-9 DU advantage with 13:18 to play in the first half.
 
Wilkins made yet another shot from beyond the arc in the right corner for a 23-16 edge at the 8:09 mark of the first half. The Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Tucker DeVries drilled a left wing trey for a 28-22 lead as four minutes remained in the opening half.
 
DeVries connected on Drake's sixth three-pointer of the night with 2:22 left to widen the margin to 33-24. The Bulldogs took a 10-point, 35-25 lead into halftime.
 
A baseline inbounds play to Sardaar Calhoun almost resulted in a spectacular slam dunk, but the ball ricocheted off the rim to the Texans for a transition three by Jakorie Smith as Tarleton trimmed the deficit to 45-40 with 13:09 left in the second half.
 
Four minutes later, Tucker DeVries poked the ball loose that led to a Darnell Brodie bucket off glass on the other end (51-45 lead). The six-point Drake advantage did not last long as the Texans countered with a quick 6-0 run capped off by a Tarleton steal and layup by Tiger Booker evening the score at the 7:20 mark.
 
With scrappy defense, timely shots by DeVries and free throws, the Bulldogs pulled ahead 63-54. Tarleton State hung around and made it a two- possession game (65-59). Penn, Wilkins and Devries iced the Paradise Jam championship at the charity stripe.

Drake's next game is not until after Thanksgiving on Saturday, Nov. 26 back home inside the Knapp Center against Louisiana at 5 p.m.

TEAM NOTES
•The game tipped off at 9 p.m. Atlantic Time.
•After winning the Paradise Jam, the Bulldogs claimed its first preseason tournament title since winning the 2018 Continental Tires Las Vegas Classic.
•Drake improved its all-time Paradise Jam record to 6-3 with a 3-0 showing this year.
•Drake improved its record on Mondays to 9-3 (2-0 this season) under head coach Darian DeVries.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
•Darian DeVries earned career win No. 100 as a head coach in only 140 games coached.
•After being named MVC Player of the Week, Tucker DeVries had his ninth 20-point scoring performance. DeVries has scored at least 22 points in four of the first five games. DeVries was 5-for-5 from the field and 8-for-8 at the free throw line.
•Garrett Sturtz ripped down a season-high 11 rebounds. Sturtz recorded the 10^th double-double of his career and Drake's second double-double of the season.

THE SERIES
•Tonight was the inaugural meeting between the two teams.