DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team closes 2017 with a New Year's Eve contest against Loyola Sunday afternoon at the Knapp Center. Tipoff with the Ramblers is scheduled for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3.
 
Drake (6-7, 1-0 MVC) dominated Valparaiso, 86-50, in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams on Friday night. The Bulldogs held the Crusaders scoreless for more than three minutes to start the game and built a 17-2 lead helped by two three-pointers by junior Nicole Miller (Walker, Iowa). Miller, who came off the bench, finished with a career-high 18 points in just 17 minutes behind a 6-of-9 shooting night, including knocking down three three-pointers. Miller and the rest of the Bulldogs' bench finished with 56 points as they outscored the entire Valpo team.
 
For the eighth time this season, Drake recorded more than 20 team assists, totaling 23 on 29 field goals against the Crusaders. Redshirt junior Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.) tallied a career-high 12 and just missed her first career points/assists double-double with nine points. The Bulldogs rank fifth in the nation in assists per game at 21.9, a total that is seven more than the next closest team, Bradley, in the Valley.
 
Loyola (2-10, 0-1 MVC) dropped its conference opener at UNI, 70-41, Friday night. The Ramblers trailed the Panthers, 17-12, at the end of the first quarter, but scored just eight points in the second quarter as UNI pulled away for the victory. Loyola is coached by Kate Achter, who is in her second season at the helm. The Ramblers are led in scoring by freshman Abby O'Connor at 9.8 points per game.
 
Following Sunday's game, Drake travels to Missouri State Jan. 5. Tipoff with the Bears is set for 7 p.m. and the action will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3.