ST. LOUIS – Drake sophomore Lizzy Wendell (Blue Springs, Mo.) was named co-Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball Player of the Week, while freshman Becca Jonas (Independence, Mo.) was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week, the league office announced Monday, Dec. 22.

Wendell shared player of the week honors with Allie Decker of Wichita State. Wendell poured in a career-high 43 points on 15-of-24 shooting, including scoring 10 points in the final 1:38 of the game, in a thriller versus No. 23/24 Iowa on Sunday. In Drake's other contest last week against Northwestern College, she had 20 points in the win.

Wendell's 43 points against Iowa are a Drake Knapp Center individual record for a regulation women's basketball game and ranks tied for seventh in program history for points scored in a game. She knocked down a career-best seven three-pointers, which is tied for the third best single game total in school history. She is averaging a conference-leading 23.2 points per game. This is the second player of the week award for Wendell this season.

Last week, Jonas averaged a double-double (18.5 points, 10.0 rebounds), while also adding 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 block per game as she earned her second newcomer of the week honor this season. Against Iowa, she collected her second career double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds, both career highs.

On the season, Jonas is averaging 12.4 points and 7.3 boards per game. Her rebounding mark ranks seventh in the MVC.

Drake opens conference play on the road, as the Bulldogs will visit Loyola on Jan. 2.