DES MOINES -- Darnell Brodie's best game of the season and a timely steal by Tucker DeVries in the final minute helped the Drake University men's basketball team open Missouri Valley Conference play with a 73-66 victory over Valparaiso at the Knapp Center on Thursday night, breaking a three-game losing streak.
It was the earliest Drake has ever played a Valley game and the Bulldogs won it with contributions up and down the lineup along with some solid defense at key stretches.
Drake (4-3) never trailed after scoring nine straight points to open a 17-12 lead, but the Bulldogs had to fight off Valpo (3-5) at every turn the rest of the game.