NORMAL, Ill - The Drake University women's basketball dropped a 60-45 Missouri Valley Conference contest at Illinois State, Saturday, dropping their sixth-straight game against the Redbirds and 10th out of the last 11.

The Bulldogs shot a season-low 29.6 percent (16-of-54) from the floor. Senior Kristin Turk (Des Moines, Iowa) scored a team-high 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting.

"I give them kudos for their defensive effort tonight," said head coach Amy Stephens, whose record at Redbird Arena fell to 0-8 all-time. "We shot a low percentage and forced us into that."

Drake, which dropped its third-straight contest, fell to 9-9 overall and 3-4 in the MVC. Illinois State improved to 12-6 overall, including 4-2 in the Valley and a perfect 9-0 at Redbird Arena.

Illinois State used an 11-0 run early in the second half to extend a 44-28 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the game. The Bulldogs closed the gap to 10 points, 48-38, but the Redbirds kept up the pressure and methodically rebuilt their lead to as many as 17.

Turk was the spark behind Drake's rally, connecting on a pair of free throws at the 8:16 mark to kick off the 6-0 stretch. Drake scored just 11 more points from then on.

"It was a combination of an overtime game last time, a great defensive effort and a senior [Turk] trying to do everything she can," said Stephens of Drake's tough night shooting.

The Bulldogs were held scoreless during the first six minutes of the game, going 0-for-8 from the floor. A Rachael Hackbarth (Colgate, Wis.) layup ended the drought.

The Bulldogs return to Des Moines to open a four-game home stand on Jan. 27. Drake hosts Wichita State at 7:05 p.m.