ST. LOUIS -- Tucker DeVries of Drake men's basketball was named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week after his impressive season-opening outing, the league announced on Monday, Nov. 13. 

DeVries enjoyed his third 30-plus career scoring game for the Bulldogs, with a career-high 36 points, including 23 in the second half on Wednesday (Nov. 8) against Lipscomb. He also added five rebounds and six assists in the 85-70 win over the Bisons. DeVries made three 3-point baskets, marking the 25th time in his career he has made three-plus treys in a game.

With Drake trailing 51-47 in the second half, Devries scored 17 straight points during a 9-minute and 14-second span enabling the Bulldogs to enjoy a 64-60 advantage that it never relinquished. The 36-point game in a season-opening game was the most in the MVC since Nov. 14, 2014 (Marcus Marshall of Missouri State had 38 points in the Bears' opener vs. Eastern Illinois.)

Drake men's basketball returns to the Knapp Center on Tuesday, Nov. 14 welcoming Southwest Minnesota State for a 7 p.m. tip-off.