Preview

DES MOINES, Iowa (Interstat) — The Drake Bulldogs, looking to build on a strong home-court advantage, will host the struggling Western Illinois Leathernecks in a nonconference men’s basketball game Tuesday at the Knapp Center. Drake (5-3) enters the contest coming off an 84-74 home victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday. Guard Jalen Quinn led the way with 31 points and seven assists, while forward Okku Federiko added 20 points and eight rebounds. The Bulldogs are 4-1 at home this season. Western Illinois (2-6) snapped a three-game losing streak with an 89-73 win over St. Ambrose on Sunday. Lucas Lorenzen scored a team-high 25 points in that victory, with Isaiah Griffin adding 14 points and eight rebounds. The Leathernecks are 0-5 in true road games this season, with their only wins coming against non-Division I opponents Coe and St. Ambrose. The Bulldogs have been efficient offensively at the Knapp Center, averaging 84.5 points in their four home wins. Western Illinois, conversely, has averaged just 60.2 points in its five road losses against Division I competition. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CST Tuesday. Drake will host UAB on Friday, while Western Illinois returns home to face Hannibal-La Grange on Saturday.