Belmont Aims to Extend Hot Start Against Drake in MVC Clash

DES MOINES, Iowa (Interstat) — The surging Belmont Bruins look to continue their strong start to conference play when they visit the Drake Bulldogs in a Missouri Valley men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Knapp Center.

Belmont (14-3, 2-1 MVC) enters riding momentum from a 78-65 road victory at Northern Iowa on Wednesday. The Bruins have won 10 of their last 12 games, with their only conference loss a narrow 68-67 defeat to Southern Illinois on Jan. 4.

Drake (8-8, 1-2) seeks consistency after a 93-66 loss at Bradley on Wednesday snapped a brief two-game win streak. The Bulldogs have alternated wins and losses over their past six contests.

A key matchup will feature Belmont guard Jack Smiley against Drake’s Jaehshon Thomas. Smiley is coming off a 19-point, 6-assist performance against Northern Iowa and has been a steady hand for the Bruins’ offense. Thomas has provided scoring punch for Drake, averaging 15.2 points over his last five games, including an 18-point effort in the loss to Bradley.

The Bruins have showcased a balanced attack. In the win over Northern Iowa, Drew Scharnowski added 18 points and Tyler Lundblade scored 14 while playing 38 minutes. Belmont’s efficient offense, which has scored 80 or more points in eight games, will test a Drake defense that has allowed an average of 81.5 points in its two conference losses.

Drake’s offense runs through Thomas and Andrew Alia, who scored 12 points against Bradley. The Bulldogs will need a stronger defensive effort after Bradley shot 56.7% from the field against them.

Historically, this is the first scheduled meeting between the programs as new conference foes. Belmont joined the MVC this season.

Following this game, Belmont hosts Valparaiso on Tuesday. Drake travels to face Southern Illinois next Wednesday.