GAME NOTES: The Drake Bulldogs will attempt once again to put their first notch in the win column when they host the IUPUI Jaguars in a non-conference tilt at the Knapp Center.

IUPUI has picked up two wins by narrow margins in its last two games. The Jaguars narrowly defeated Ball State in overtime (71-69) after earning a solid road win over Milwaukee (70-68). They are now 2-2 overall, with losses to Purdue (77-57) and Indiana State (79-66 OT) on the ledger as well. They return home to host Georgia State next.

Drake has not had anything to celebrate after playing three games. The Bulldogs have been handed sizable defeats by Bowling Green (77-58), DePaul (80-62) and Western Michigan (91-75), with the last two coming in road tests. They will take part in the Challenge in Music City this weekend, playing Valparaiso, Portland and Murray State over three days.

Drake defeated IUPUI, 75-52, last season. The Jaguars won in the only other meeting during the 2009-10 season, 88-82.

P.J. Boutte was the hero for IUPUI against Ball State as he stole the ball with 31 seconds remaining and then nailed a game-winning jumper as time expired in overtime to lift the Jaguars to victory. It was a tough offensive showing overall for IUPUI, which shot 43.3 percent from the floor and just 4- of-15 from 3-point range, but the team still managed to pull out the win.

Expecting a major turnaround in terms of efficiency would be a bad idea. IUPUI has only made 41.9 percent of its total shots this season, which has led to a rather pedestrian scoring average (66 ppg). The Jaguars are allowing 73 points per game on 43.6 percent shooting in turn. Boutte, who finished with 16 points off the bench against Ball State, leads the team in scoring (10 ppg), assists (5.8 apg) and steals (2.8 spg). He is the only double-digit scorer on the roster, with Marcellus Barksdale (9 ppg) and Aaron Brennan (9 ppg) the next- best options.

Drake was a defensive disaster against Western Michigan. The Bulldogs allowed the Broncos to shoot 61.1 percent from the floor and drain 10 3-pointers, while scoring 91 points. They were able to keep up in the first half, nailing a gaudy 70.8 percent from the floor, including a 9-of-10 effort from 3-point range, but the wheels fell off after the break, when they had only eight field goals. Reed Timmer finished with a team-high 23 points in the losing effort.

Failing to put up much resistance on defense may be a season-long issue for Drake, unless there is a drastic change made soon. The Bulldogs are allowing 82.7 points on 56 percent shooting in the first three games. That type of defensive performance can't continue, especially with the team netting just 65 points per game itself. Timmer (15 ppg) is one of three double-digit scorers for the team, with Chris Caird (13.3 ppg) and Jordan Daniels (11.7 ppg) lending a hand as well.

The Bulldogs may have an easier time on defense against IUPUI, a team with just one player averaging 10 points per game. If they can improve in that area, then the hosts may just have what it takes to win this one.