DES MOINES, Iowa- Sophomore Kyndal Clark (Webb City, Mo.) scored 20 points and hit four clutch free throws down the stretch as the Drake women's basketball team survived a Bradley comeback attempt to beat the Braves, 66-62, Friday evening before a Knapp Center crowd of 2,060.

"This was really good for our young team how they responded to Bradley's comeback to tie the game up," Drake head coach Jennie Baranczyk said. "Obviously we would have liked to have kept that lead but we stepped up at the end and made huge free throws. I'm so proud of our team and they deserved this win."

Clark added a career-high seven steals to go along with her 20 points and junior Morgan Reid (Kansas City, Mo.) notched her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Cara Lutes (Maplewood, Minn.) chipped in nine points off the bench and junior Alyssa Marschner (Plymouth, Minn.) tallied eight assists.

Bradley (7-10, 1-5 MVC) sophomore Shronda Butts, who played at Des Moines East High School, led the Braves with 29 points on 12-of-24 shooting. No other Brave scored more than seven points.

Drake (6-12, 1-6 MVC) shot a blistering 52 percent (16-of-31) in the first half, a season-high for field goal percentage in a half. After jumping out to a commanding 22-10 lead, the Bulldogs continued to stretch the margin until giving up a 5-0 run in the closing minute of the half. They went to the break with a 41-28 advantage.

"Tonight we played really good team basketball and our tempo was excellent," Baranczyk said. "We got up and down the floor, rebounded well and we defended and came out with great intensity."

The two teams traded baskets for most of the second half, until Bradley went on a late 16-1 run to eliminate the Bulldogs' 15-point lead. Butts, who had eight of Bradley's 16 points during the run, hit the game-tying free throw with 1:14 remaining.

On the ensuing Bulldog possession, Clark was fouled on her way to the hoop and proceeded to make both free throws. Butts missed her next shot attempt, a driving layup down the lane, and Clark stole the ball from junior Kelly Fringe after Fringe's offensive rebound.

Clark, who was quickly fouled, sank the two free throws to put the Bulldogs up 66-62 with 0:19 remaining and seal the team's first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season.

"Kyndal stepped up with some clutch free throws at the end," Baranczyk said. "We need to avoid those situations where we freeze up and put her in those tough situations as the shot clock runs down, but we know who are go to player is. Kyndal and Morgan Reid and Stephanie Running have done a great job leading this team these last few weeks."

Led by Clark's seven steals, the Bulldogs racked up a season-high 13 steals.  

The Bulldogs continue their homestand against Northern Iowa Sunday at the Knapp Center. Tip-off is set for 2:07 p.m. and will be aired on KPSZ-Praise 940 AM and broadcasted on Mediacom MC22.