PEORIA, Ill. -- Walt Lemon Jr. scored 23 points and Bradley defeated Drake 67-57 Saturday night in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Dyricus Simms-Edwards had 20 points and eight steals for the Braves (9-4), who only won seven games all of last season. Tyshon Pickett added 10 points and eight rebounds for Bradley.

Ben Simons had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs (6-6), but was guarded by Simms-Edwards and made just 4 of 18 shots. Chris Hines scored 11 points and Seth VanDeest scored 10.

Drake held a 46-34 rebounding advantage, but the Bulldogs shot just 34 percent from the field. Bradley outscored Drake 26-16 in the paint, shot 41 percent and led for nearly the entire game.