DES MOINES, IOWA -- Freshmen
Rachael Hackbarth (Colgate, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) and Brittnye McSparron
(Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) combined for 10 points during a 13-0 run late in
the first half to power the Drake women's basketball team to its sixth straight
Missouri Valley Conference victory with a 70-60 decision past Northern
Iowa Sunday before 2,667 fans at the Drake Knapp Center.
The victory improved Drake's
record to 12-7, including a 6-2 conference mark, while moving the Bulldogs to
within one-half game of co-league leaders Illinois
State and Indiana State
who stand at 6-1.
“Our kids came ready to play
today,” said Drake head coach Amy Stephens. “I love all the intangibles of our
team and as well as our gritty defense.”
Junior guard Jordann Plummer
(St. Louis,
Mo./Cardinal Ritter), coming off a career-high 20 points against Bradley, paced
a balanced Drake attack with 18 points.
“I give a great deal of the
credit for our offensive improvement to Jordann. She is using screens better
and her poise is much improved,” stated Stephens.
Five players scored in
double figures for Drake which shot a season high 52.3 percent from the floor,
including 63.6 percent in the first half.
Senior Lauren Dybing (Bloomington, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran)
added 13 points, six rebounds and season high four blocked shots for Drake.
“I was so happy for Lauren
tonight,” said Stephens. “She was in a bit of a slump
coming into the game and for her to react like she did and have such a great
all-around game was exciting.”
With the score tied at
19-19, Hackbarth scored six of her 10 points during the 13-0 run, while
McSparron added four points.
Junior Monique' Jones (Lee's
Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit North) collected 12 points and eight rebounds, while
McSparron finished with 10 points, four assists and three rebounds.
Drake outrebounded Northern Iowa, 37-22, collecting 16 second-chance points.
The Bulldogs will host
Creighton Saturday in a 2 p.m. tipoff.
