Preview of Saturday’s Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Basketball Game

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking consistency will meet Saturday when the Drake Bulldogs visit the Indiana State Sycamores in a Missouri Valley Conference men’s basketball matchup at Hulman Center.

Drake (10-10, 3-4 MVC) enters having split its last four games, most recently a 101-90 home win over Murray State on Wednesday. Indiana State (9-11, 2-5) looks to halt a three-game skid after falling 75-68 at Bradley that same night.

The Bulldogs won the season’s first meeting, 74-72 in Des Moines on Jan. 4. In that game, Drake guard Jalen Quinn scored 18 points and dished five assists, while Indiana State’s Ian Scott posted 16 points and six rebounds.

Quinn has been on a scoring tear since, averaging 24.3 points over his last three contests. He erupted for a career-high 34 points in 37 minutes against Murray State. His backcourt play will be central to Drake’s hopes on the road.

Scott has been a steady force for the Sycamores, scoring in double figures in 10 straight games. He tallied 15 points against Bradley and had 24 in a narrow loss to Evansville on Jan. 10. His versatility as a scorer and facilitator anchors Indiana State’s offense.

Both teams have struggled for momentum in conference play. Drake’s victory over Murray State was a bright spot in a stretch that saw losses to Illinois-Chicago, Belmont and Bradley. The Bulldogs are 2-6 in true road games this season.

Indiana State’s conference losses have been narrow, with four of their five MVC defeats coming by seven points or fewer, including the earlier two-point loss at Drake. Protecting home court is critical for the Sycamores, who are 7-3 at Hulman Center this season.

The game tips off at 2 p.m. EST Saturday. Drake hosts Evansville next on Jan. 28. Indiana State travels to face Illinois-Chicago on Jan. 27.