DES MOINES, Iowa – Sophomore Lizzy Wendell (Blue Springs, Mo.) equaled her career high with 43 points as the Drake University women's basketball team held off Missouri State, 94-89, in an overtime thriller on Friday night at the Knapp Center in front of 2,523 fans.
Sophomore Caitlin Ingle (Runnells, Iowa) recorded her first career triple double with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to help Drake win its eighth-straight game. The victory improves the Bulldogs' record to 13-6 and 8-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Freshman Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.) joined Wendell and Ingle in double figures with 14 points. Along with tying her career-high in scoring, Wendell added six rebounds, four assists and three steals in a career-best 42 minutes.
“This one was really fun to be on this side … I mean, it could have easily gone either way,” said head coach Jennie Baranczyk on her team's hard-fought victory. “Missouri State did a really, really nice job. I thought NiJay Gaines coming home to Des Moines really put on a performance – she had a great game. They rebounded the ball well and they turned us over a little bit too much. What I'm really proud of is the way that when they made their runs, we came back every time… we stayed poised, we stayed steady. For a young team to be able to do that I think that's really important for today and also for the years to come.”
Kenzie Williams led Missouri State (8-11, 5-3 MVC) with 27 points while the Des Moines native and senior NiJay Gaines had 19 points. Tyonna Snow had 13 points and Lexi Hughes chipped in 10 points
Drake held an 85-80 lead with 1:58 to go in the contest after Wendell knocked down a jumper. However, Williams followed with a three-pointer on the next possession. The Bulldogs turned it over on the ensuing possession as Williams capitalized with a layup to even the game at 85-all with 51 seconds on the clock.
On Drake's next possession, Wendell was called for an offensive foul to give the ball back to Missouri State with 26 seconds left. Snow's jumper missed the mark at the buzzer as the teams headed to each of their first overtime games of the season.
In overtime, Wendell scored the first points by converting one of two free throws and later she added a layup to put Drake up 88-85. Williams followed with two free throws to trim the deficit to one point, 88-87, but Wendell answered with a three-pointer to extend the lead to four points, 91-87, with 2:24 to go. The Bulldogs outscored the Lady Bears, 3-2, down the stretch to hold on for the win.
“Lizzy just had another really, really outstanding night in terms of scoring and what I liked the most is she started out great, kind of went a little bit cold and then came back really strong,” commented Baranczyk. “We needed some big baskets and she found a way. Obviously the six rebounds, four assists, three steals are also huge. And then Caitlin really willed this (win) I thought tonight with 11 rebounds, 14 points and 10 assists—her first triple double… not to mention four steals… that's outstanding to be able to lead a team like that against a team as good as Missouri State.”
Drake and Wichita State (17-3, 8-0 MVC), who are tied atop the MVC standings, will square off on Sunday (Feb.1) at 1:05 p.m. in the Knapp Center. The game will be broadcast on Mediacom 22.
