CHARLESTON, S.C. — In an impressive showing, Bennett Stirtz led Drake to an 80-69 victory over Miami on Thursday night, kicking off the Charleston Classic. Stirtz recorded an outstanding 21 points, while teammate Daniel Abreu contributed significantly with 18 points and 10 rebounds. This game marked a significant milestone for Drake, as it was their first win against an Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent since they edged out Wake Forest 77-74 earlier in the 2017-18 season.

Despite the competitive nature of the game, Stirtz was the sole player from either team to score in double figures with 11 minutes left in the second half. Miami’s Nijel Pack became the first player from Florida State to reach double digits after sinking a 3-pointer at 6:54, narrowing Miami’s deficit to 56-47. However, Stirtz quickly countered with a three-point play, increasing the Bulldogs’ lead back to 12 points.

Stirtz continued to shine, showcasing his athleticism with a putback dunk that helped Drake establish a 65-54 advantage. Mitch Mascari also played a crucial role, contributing a wide-open 3-pointer with just 2:02 remaining in the game. He then secured a steal on the other end, solidifying the Bulldogs’ lead. Mascari concluded the game with 15 points, aiding Drake’s perfect start to the season at 4-0.

On the Miami side, Pack led with 17 points, while Jalen Blackmon and Matthew Cleveland supported with 12 points each. Prior to this matchup, Drake stood fourth in Division I for scoring defense, allowing an average of just 51.0 points per game, while Miami boasted a remarkable offensive output of 98 points per game.

Both squads are set to compete in three games within four days as part of the tournament. The second game of the event will feature Oklahoma State facing off against Florida Atlantic, while other teams such as Seton Hall, VCU, Vanderbilt, and Nevada will compete on the opposite side of the bracket.