Drake opened Missouri Valley Conference play with a 69-55 win over Southern Illinois in a physical, defensive battle.

Drake coach Mark Phelps on his postgame show on KRNT in Des Moines says the state sheet isn’t pretty, but they did enough to pull out the victory. Phelps says the Bulldogs adjusted to the physical style.

He says it was surprising to some players who haven’t played that style before and that led to some turnovers.

Drake is 6-6 overall.