The Drake men’s basketball team made a statement at the Charleston (S.C.) Classic.
Bennett Stirtz scored 16 points and handed out 11 assists as the Bulldogs beat Vanderbilt 81-70 on Sunday in the championship game of the event.
Cam Manyawu led Drake with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Mitch Mascari added 17 points. Daniel Abreu scored 15.
First-year coach Ben McCollum has the Bulldogs on a roll. Drake is 6-0 with impressive victories over Miami (Fla.), Florida Atlantic and Vanderbilt in Charleston.
The Bulldogs don’t have much size, but they have tons of skill and their pack-line defense makes things difficult for their opponents.
Drake out-rebounded the Commodores 37-20. The Bulldogs shot 54% from the field and held Vanderbilt to 44% shooting.
Vanderbilt, a member of the Southeastern Conference, was 6-0 entering Sunday’s game.
Drake’s next game is Saturday at home against Georgia Southern. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Knapp Center.
