DES MOINES, Iowa – Reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Tucker DeVries scored a game-high 19 points as Drake trimmed Truman State in an exhibition game Thursday night at the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs welcomed their several new faces with a 95-50 victory.
 
Head coach Darian DeVries utilized all 14 active players for the Bulldogs. Drake relied on perimeter shooting to open the game making, four straight three-point baskets to erase a 3-0 deficit. The Bulldogs promptly built a 12-3 lead they never relinquished.
 
Making six of their last eight shots, the Bulldogs closed out the first half going on a 16-0 run to enjoy a 46-25 halftime lead. DeVries (14) and Overton (11) combined for 25 of Drake's first-half points.
 
Redshirt sophomore Carlos Rosario, a transfer from Washington State, added 17 points for Drake, including 15 in the second half. Rosario scored nine straight points in span of 3:22 late in the game, igniting Drake to an 86-41 advantage.
 
Drake's aggressive defense forced Truman State into committing as many turnovers (17) as baskets made (17) in the game.
 
Drake freshman guard Kevin Overton chipped in with 14 points, including three three-point baskets. Overton was one of two players in the starting lineup making their Drake debut joining guard Atin Wright, a transfer from CSUN.
 
Drake out rebounded Truman State, 41-21, with fifth-year senior center Darnell Brodie grabbing a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Drake shot 49.2 percent (30-61) from the floor, while limiting Truman State to just 32.7 percent (17-52) shooting.
 
Freshman guard Colby Garland led Drake with five assists.
 
Guard Xavier Hall paced Truman State with 12 points.
 
The Bulldogs will tip off their 2023-24 regular season slate on Wednesday, Nov. 8 with a visit from Lipscomb. Drake's season debut will start at 7 p.m. in the Knapp Center with a banner reveal ceremony celebrating last year's MVC Tournament championship squad and their NCAA Tournament berth.