Ryan Wedel News

San Diego State extended the nation's longest active win streak in overtime games to nine Tuesday after outlasting Drake 76-73 in OT.

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

Posted on Dec 19, 2009 by Scott Dochterman . Iowa's Matt Gatens passes over Josh Young of Drake during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Saturday, December 19, 2009.

By JOHN BOHNENKAMP jbohnenkamp@thehawkeye.com IOWA CITY -- The ride through the in-state rivalries hasn't been pleasant for the Iowa basketball team.

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.

Drake 96, South Dakota 81. DES MOINES, Iowa Josh Young scored points as Drake, lighting it u0 from 0 0 0 0 0-point range, pulled awa9 from South Dakota 96- Frida9 nigh4 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.

Mark Yelovich had 24 points and eight rebounds to lead Southern Illinois-Edwardsville past Drake 60-58 in the opening round of the Drake Hy-Vee ClassicA A Yelovich also had two blocks, a steal and two 3-pointers. Aamir McCleary added 14 points, six assists and seven rebounds for the Cougars .

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.

Austin Peay and Drake didn't face each other during the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla., last week, but one you can bet both coaching staffs made sure they scouted each other's games, knowing the Govs would host the Bulldogs tonight at 7 p.m. in the Dunn Center.

Drake beats Austin Peay 78-72 Eds: APNewsNow. Drake 78, Austin Peay 72. CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.

They've relaxed on a beach in Florida and spent a holiday together in their coach's home.

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

Anthony Hitchens scored all of his 17 points in the second half and Akron rallied to defeat Drake 63-59 for the Zips' first win of the season on Saturday.

Ryan Wedel had 15 points and Seth VanDeest added 13 to lead Drake to a 65-58 victory over Georgia State at the Glenn Wilkes Classic on Friday.

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

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.

The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball squad knew they would need to find that certain "step-up" player to support Josh Young this season.