SPRINGFIELD, MO. -- The Drake women's basketball team opened the second half with a 9-1 run en route to securing its fourth straight road victory with a 66-60 Missouri Valley Conference decision past Missouri State Sunday.

The Bulldogs improved to 14-8 overall, while moving into third place in the league standings with an 8-3 mark, trailing league leader Illinois State (9-1) by 1 1/2 games.

"It was a defensive, grind it out game," said Drake head coach Amy Stephens whose team completed a sweep of the Wichita State, Missouri State road swing for a fourth straight year. "We took their punch and then we had a punch in the second half. I'm really proud of the effort in how we played this week."

Drake held Missouri State to 37.5 percent shooting from the floor, while the Bulldogs shot 47.9 percent, including 51.9 in the second half.

Drake earned its sixth straight victory against Missouri State, while improving its overall record in the series to 32-31 to become the only MVC school to have a winning edge against the Lady Bears who have been a perennial power in the league.

Junior guard Jordann Plummer (St. Louis, Mo./Cardinal) paced a balanced Drake attack with 20 points, including a career-high three three-point baskets, along with four assists.

Junior Monique' Jones (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit North) recorded her second straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.  Senior Lauren Dybing (Bloomington, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran) added 11 points and three blocked shots.

There were six ties in the first half. After a basket by Jasmine Malone gave the Lady Bears a 23-15 lead, Drake scored eight straight points to tie the game, capped by a free throw by Plummer.

With the score tied at 27-27 at halftime, Plummer ignited the 9-1 run by Drake with five points.

Drake also took advantage of a 6-minute 10 second drought without a basket by the Lady Bears midway through the second half.

After a basket by Casey Garrison pulled Missouri State within 36-35 with 14:10, the Bulldogs responded with a 13-2 run to enjoy a 49-37 advantage following a jumper by Kristin Turk (Des Moines, Iowa/Lincoln) with 8:08 left.  Garrison ended the Lady Bears' drought with a jumper with 7:59 and then added two free throws to make it 49-43.

But a rebound basket by Jones and a basket by Dybing extended the Bulldogs advantage to 53-43.

Turk finished with 10 points.

The Bulldogs held advantages in rebounding (49-42), second-chance points (14-8) and bench points (14-8). Missouri State capitalized on 15 Bulldog turnovers, converting them to 21 points.

Drake returns home for a Thursday (Feb. 12) match-up with Southern Illinois. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.