WICHITA, Kan. – After taking a holiday break, the Drake University women's basketball team begins Missouri Valley Conference action at Wichita State on Friday, Dec. 30. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the contest will be shown online via The Valley on ESPN3.
 
Drake (7-4), who has started league play on the road 12 out the past 14 seasons, returns to the court after winning its last game before the break. The Bulldogs claimed a 93-78 victory over Eastern Washington on Dec. 22 in the consolation game of the Tulane Classic held in New Orleans, La.
 
Redshirt sophomore Becca Jonas (Independence, Mo.) and freshman Becca Hittner (Urbandale, Iowa) set new career marks with the 19 and 24 points in the first-ever meeting with the Eagles. Jonas reached her new career high behind effective shooting of 11-of-13 from the field.
 
Hittner earned her second-straight MVC Newcomer of the Week award after her performance in New Orleans. Against Eastern Washington, she added nine rebounds, handed out four assists and knocked down a career-best four three-pointers while making 7-of-11 shots. Hittner opened the tournament with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal against Auburn. She has scored double-figures in four consecutive games and is averaging 15.5 points per game during that span and 12.7 on the season.
 
Wichita State is 5-6 on the season and has won four out of its past six games. Junior Rangie Bessard leads the Shockers in scoring and rebounding at 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
 
Following Friday's MVC opener, Drake visits Springfield, Mo., on Jan. 1 to take on the Missouri State Lady Bears. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3.