The Drake men take a share of the Missouri Valley Conference lead into Wednesday night’s game at home against Belmont. The Bulldogs are 13-3 in the Valley but one of those losses was an 87-65 pounding at Belmont in early January that was not as close as the final score.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries. Belmont center Malik Dia poured in 32 points in the first meeting and standout Bruins guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie missed the game due to injury. Gillespie averages more than 17 points per game.

The Bulldogs have won six of their last seven games and as several young players gain experience the Bulldogs are building more depth.

Belmont is part of a three-way tie for fourth in the Valley race at 9-7.