BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Drury Panthers started their 2021-22 season with a win as they defeated Ohio Dominican 84-69 on Saturday in their first game of the Ferris State Classic in Big Rapids, Michigan.
 
The Panthers built a double-digit lead late in the first half, outscoring Ohio Dominican 20-10 in the last nine minutes of the opening stanza to go up 45-31 at the intermission. Drury led by as much as 24 in the second half before going on to win 84-69.
 
Victor Nwagbarachoa led four Panthers in double-figures with 17 points. Malek Davis added 13 points, while Clay Gayman had 12, and Devin Barshow chipped in 10. Nwagbarachoa and Obi Okafor both had eight rebounds.
 
Drury shot 52 percent in the game, going 29 for 56 from the field. They also went 6 for 15 from three-point range and connected on 20 of their 28 free throw attempts.  
 
Ohio Dominican shot 46 percent going 27 for 59, and they made 10 of their 30 three-point tries. Drury forced ODU into 20 turnovers.
 
The win gives new Drury head coach Chris Foster a win in his debut with the program. Foster was named head coach of the program last spring after Steve Hesser retired after 17 years leading the team. Foster was previously the head coach at McKendree for three seasons and Truman State for four campaigns.
 
The Panthers play their second game in the Ferris State Classic on Sunday at 2 pm (Central) against the host Bulldogs in Big Rapids, Michigan.
 
 
 
#allweDUiswin