Outstanding Warm Up Performances

Five Sub-D1 Wins

(St. Louis, MO) – We didn’t mean to ignore some outstanding warm up performances by Missouri Valley Conference teams and players. Belmont, Drake, Illinois Chicago, Murray State and Northern Iowa all accomplished what they wanted to do.

Each team had a home game with a sub-Division 1 opponent as a way to warm up for the season and get one home game in. Racking up a win and getting their players some ‘game experience’ was the goal and all achieved that.

But who stood out on opening night?

Explosive Warm Up Performances

We don’t expect these Valley teams to reach these scoring totals on a nightly basis, but it’s nice when the home team scores over 90 points and in one case 113.

UIC was the least proficient team, ONLY scoring 91 in its home win over St. Francis (Illinois). Newcomers led the scoring parade for Rob Ehsan’s first Flames win. Utah State transfer Javon Jackson led with 21 points, Niagara newby Ahmad Henderson II added 14. Modestas Kancleris chipped in 14 and Xavier transfer Sasa Ciani delivered 11 and seven rebounds.

Belmont struggled early in its game with Maryville (Tennessee), but a big second half propelled the Bruins to a 93-70 victory. Returners Isaiah Walker, Brigham Rogers and Sam Orme enjoyed big nights. Walker, who was named one of the team captains earlier in the week put up a 19-point, five rebound and three assist game. Rogers scored ten points while redshirt freshman, Orme scored 15 points in his Belmont debut.

Belmont’s other captain, Brody Peebles chipped in 12 points and fellow newcomer Tyler Lundblade delivered 14.

Drake’s Daniel Abreu attained the highest scoring total of any of these warm up performances. The 6’6 grad transfer came to Drake with new head coach Ben McCollum from Northwest Missouri State and dropped 30 points on York (Nebraska). The Bulldogs won the game 93-41. Returner Nate Ferguson added 11 points and Abreu’s former and current teammate Bennett Stirtz racked up 18 and seven assists.

Four Murray State players went for double figures. Holdover star JaCobi Wood tallied 17 points while three transfers filled up the box score. Kylen Milton led the way with 19 points, Terence Harcum rang up 16 and SIU transfer A.J. Ferguson scored ten and added seven rebounds and seven assists. Murray defeated Bethel (Tennessee) 113-37.

UNI’s Virginia transfer Leon Bond III provided some highlight reel moves on his way to 12 points and seven boards. The Panthers defeated Dubuque 96-54. Sophomore R.J. Taylor and returner Tytan Anderson each scored 13 points.

Thursday’s Games

Indiana State’s warm up opportunity comes during the season’s second game. The Sycamores (0-1) dropped a neutral site game to Florida Atlantic. Tonight Matthew Graves’ team hosts Eureka.

UNI begins a two-game home stretch with other mid-major powers. Tonight Ben Jacobson’s team hosts Milwaukee and UC Irvine visits Cedar Falls Sunday.

After a disappointing home opener, Illinois State travels to North Dakota State. The Bison had some outstanding warm up performances during their Monday night win over Jamestown.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo of Daniel Abreu courtesy of godrakebulldogs.com.