Ben Simons News

Holidays at the Simons household in Michigan aren't exactly typical. If there's a basketball game being broadcast, the television will be on.

Iowa City, Ia. - With Iowa coach Todd Lickliter back on the sidelines and sophomore Matt Gatens coming into his own, things suddenly don't look so dire for the Hawkeyes.

When a young squad such as the Drake University men's basketball team plays to its full potential and puts its talent on display, one is given a glimpse of where the program is headed.

Josh Young scored 21 points as Drake, lighting it up from 3-point range, pulled away from South Dakota 96-81 Friday night at the Drake Invitational.

FRESHMAN FOREWARD BEN SIMONS jumps above awaiting Iowa State opponents in a game the Bulldogs lost 70-90. Simons and his fellow first-year athletes have brought a youthful vitality to the team that will be key in Drakea s success this season.

Senior Craig Stanley missed a go-ahead lay-up with 10.5 seconds left in the game as Drake lost 60-58 to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville at the Knapp Center Friday.

Just six games into the season, the Drake men's basketball team already has found six proven scorers.

SENIOR ADAM TEMPLETON keeps his eyes focused on the basket as he pushes into the arc.

Drake leads Austin Peay 74-72 with 1:04 left in their non-conference game at the Dunn Center.

Friday, November 20th, 1:15 p.m. FACTS & STATS: Site: Ocean Center -- Daytona Beach, Florida.

A.J. Rompza hit two difficult shots down the stretch and Central Florida held Drake scoreless over the final 6 minutes for a 59-50 victory on Sunday.

Central Florida defeats Drake 59-50 Eds: APNewsNow. UCF 59, Drake 50. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.

Josh Young took matters into his own hands with Drake clinging to a five-point lead with 27 seconds left Friday.

SOPHOMORE GUARD FRANK WISELER dribbles down the Knapp Center court as Iowa Statea s junior guard Diante Garrett plays physical defense.

Iowa State thumps Drake 90-70 Eds: APNewsNow. Iowa State 90, Drake 70. By LUKE MEREDITH AP Sports Writer DES MOINES, Iowa Lucca Staiger scored a career-high 32 points on 10-of-16 shooting from 3-point range and Iowa State defeated Drake 90-70 Tuesday night to snap a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.

SENIOR ADAM TEMPLETON jukes an IUPUI opponent as he charges down the court. Drake lost its first matchup against the Jaguars, starting its season with a record of 0-1 for the second year in a row.

Adam Templeton arrived at Drake two years ago as a 3-point specialist, but he'll be asked to play power forward on a young, undersized team this season.

UNC-PEMBROKE AT NORTHERN IOWA Where: McLeod Center; Cedar Falls Tipoff: Noon What to watch: Several former Panthers are expected to be in attendance, in honor of ex-Northern Iowa and current UNC-Pembroke assistant Eldon Miller.

Mark Phelps inherited one of the MVC's most difficult jobs at a most difficult time.

SCOUTING THE NEWCOMERS: Junior guard Ryan Wedel is a good three-point shooter who can take pressure off senior if he adjusts to the physical MVC brand of ball quickly.