DES MOINES, IOWA — Senior transfer forward Sardaar Calhoun scored 35 points in his Drake debut as the short-handed Bulldogs defeated Minnesota Duluth, 100-77, in their lone exhibition tune-up inside the Knapp Center Thursday night (Nov. 3).
 
"It was a special night for Sardaar," head coach Darian DeVries said. "We have seen Sardaar do that in practice."
 
Senior center Darnell Brodie added 25 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. The 6-foot 10-inch Brodie collected 13 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. Brodie's regular season career high in scoring is 21 at Bradley on Feb. 26, 2021.
 
"I have been raving about Darnell all spring and summer," DeVries said. "He has improved his body and has made a commitment to have a great year. It was pretty cool to watch Darnell be rewarded for it."
 
Calhoun, a transfer from Texas Tech, displayed both a strong perimeter and inside attack, making seven of nine three-point shots. Redshirt junior guard Okay Djamgouz contributed 16 points with a trio of three-point baskets for Drake.
 
Drake played without the services of four starters who were sidelined: sophomore swingman Tucker DeVries, the preseason Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year; point guard Roman Penn, a first-team all-league preseason pick, along with forward Garrett Sturtz, a second-team All-MVC choice; and guard DJ Wilson, a third-team preseason All-MVC selection.
 
Despite the absence of those all-conference performers, Drake drilled 15 three-point baskets.
 
Drake got off to a slow start committing four turnovers in the opening four minutes enabling Minnesota Duluth to enjoy a 6-0 lead.
 
Brodie then triggered a 23-7 run, by scoring nine points, to propel Drake to a 23-13 advantage. Drake closed out the first half with three straight three-point baskets, including two treys from Calhoun, to create a 52-37 intermission cushion.
 
"I thought our team did a great job taking advantage of opportunities," DeVries said. "Exhibition games are for getting some of the early season nerves out of the way." 
 
Calhoun (15), Djamgouz (13) and Brodie (13) combined for 41 of Drake's 52 first-half points.
 
Charlie Katona led Minnesota Duluth, which is ranked No. 7 in the NABC Division II preseason poll, with 24 points. The UMD Bulldogs posted a 25-6 record last year, advancing to the 2022 NCAA Division II tournament.
 
Bryceson Burns came off the bench to score 10 points for Drake. Redshirt freshman point guard Conor Enright collected seven points and a game-high six assists for Drake.

"A lot of our players had to play a lot of minutes with only nine total guys available tonight," DeVries said. "We did a great job of settling in and competing well together."
 
Drake will open the regular season by hosting IUPUI Wednesday (Nov. 9) at 7 p.m.