CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - A three-point barrage by UNI handed the Drake University women's basketball team a 74-55 Missouri Valley Conference defeat Saturday (Feb. 12) at the McLeod Center. The Bulldogs fell to 12-12 overall and 6-7 in the MVC.

Drake allowed nine more threes than it sunk, ending the game 3-of-12 from beyond the arch compared to 12-of-24 for UNI.

The Panthers (19-5, 12-1) did much of their damage in the first half, connecting on seven threes to put Drake in a deepening hole early. With the Bulldogs behind by just five, 11-6, at the 12:40 mark of the first half, UNI senior Erin Brocka scored five-straight points to double the Drake deficit. UNI extended its lead to as many as 15 in the first half before the contest settled to a 37-24 score at halftime.

"We wanted to contain penetration," said head coach Amy Stephens. "They worked the passes to find the best shot."

A three by sophomore Kayla Person (St. Louis, Mo.) brought Drake within 10 at the start of the second half, but an 8-0 run, powered by a pair of three-pointers, put UNI's lead at 18 with five minutes gone in the second half.

"I thought our team played hard," Stephens said. "We had some good looks and the ball just didn't go in."

Senior Kristin Turk (Des Moines, Iowa) led Drake with 14 points. Person continued her streak of solid games, turning in nine points and tying a career high with nine boards. Junior Rachael Hackbarth (Colgate, Wis.) added nine points and five rebounds.

"We have to get more consistency from our supporting cast," Stephens added.

Drake returns home to host Illinois State on Thursday (Feb. 17) at 7:05 p.m.