DES MOINES — Darnell Brodie had 14 points as Drake defeated Valparaiso 73-66 on Thursday night.

The game marked the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

D.J. Wilkins had 11 points for Drake (4-3), which earned its fourth consecutive home victory. Tucker DeVries added 11 points. Tremell Murphy had 10 points.

Ben Krikke had 20 points for Valpo (3-5). Trevor Anderson added 13 points. Kevion Taylor had 11 points.

Drake 73, Valparaiso 66

VALPARAISO (3-5) — Kithier 3-5 1-3 7, Krikke 9-16 1-1 20, Anderson 4-9 4-4 13, Gordon 1-4 0-0 2, Taylor 5-10 0-1 11, Edwards 3-6 0-0 7, DeAveiro 2-5 2-2 6, Barrett 0-0 0-0 0, Young 0-1 0-0 0, Woodyard 0-0 0-0 0. TOTALS 27-56 8-11 66.

DRAKE (4-3) — Brodie 6-7 2-2 14, Hemphill 3-8 2-2 8, Murphy 4-5 0-1 10, Penn 2-5 0-2 4, Wilkins 4-12 0-0 11, DeVries 3-12 2-2 11, Sturtz 2-4 4-6 8, Akinwole 2-5 0-0 5, Ferguson 1-1 0-0 2. TOTALS 27-59 10-15 73.

Halftime–Drake 40-32. 3-Point Goals–Valparaiso 4-16 (Krikke 1-2, Edwards 1-3, Anderson 1-4, Taylor 1-5, DeAveiro 0-1, Young 0-1), Drake 9-23 (DeVries 3-7, Wilkins 3-9, Murphy 2-3, Akinwole 1-4). Rebounds–Valparaiso 29 (Kithier 6), Drake 34 (Hemphill 7). Assists–Valparaiso 4 (DeAveiro 2), Drake 12 (Penn 5). Total Fouls–Valparaiso 14, Drake 12. A–2,560 (7,152).