DES MOINES, Iowa- The Drake University women's basketball team won its second and final exhibition game against Simpson College, 94-61, on Sunday (Nov. 7) afternoon at the Knapp Center.
Junior Lizzy Wendell (Blue Springs, Mo.) finished with a game-high 33 points, 18 of which were scored during the first 17 minutes of the first half. Wendell made 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 12-of-17 from the field. Freshman Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.) was the next highest scorer coming off the bench to score 24 points along pulling down seven rebounds. Junior Caitlin Ingle (Runnells, Iowa) handed out a game-high 10 assists.
Drake led 47-36 at halftime as the Bulldogs opened the third quarter with a 13-0 scoring run resulting in a 58-36 lead over Simpson as the Storm called timeout. Simpson was finally able to break through the Bulldogs' defense five minutes into the quarter.
“The ball tends to find you when bring the aggressiveness and in that third quarter is what I really liked about our team and how they really turned up the attack,” said Drake head coach Jennie Baranczyk.
Simpson's Mackenzie Haupt finished with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and completed 3-of-5 three-point attempts. Simpson and Drake each made nine three-pointers.
As a team, the Bulldogs shot 71.4 percent from the free throw line (15-of-21) and had a total of 20 fast break points over Simpson's four. Drake forced 22 turnovers by the Storm and scored 32 points off the miscues.
Wendell added eight rebounds, five steals, two blocks and one assist in just 27 minutes. Sophomore Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.) scored 11 points and pulled down seven boards in just 17 minutes. Every player scored for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs begin the 2015-16 regular season season against Iowa State on Nov. 15 at the Knapp Center. Tipoff against the Cyclones is at 2 p.m. with the game being broadcasted on THE VALLEY ON ESPN3.
