By Megan Leverenz
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team had two players record double-doubles in a 78-69 win against visiting Evansville on Friday, Feb. 20 at the Knapp Center.
Sophomore Lizzy Wendell (Blue Springs, Mo.) won the tip-off, fueling her first three points of the game as she finished with a team-high 24 points. Evansville quickly responded, but Drake (17-7, 12-1 MVC) came back to tie it at 8-8 with a layup by freshman Becca Jonas (Independence, Mo.).
Evansville (11-14, 6-8 MVC), who was led in scoring by sophomore Sara Dickey with a game-high 27 points pulled ahead by six points before redshirt senior Carly Grenfell (York, Neb.) swooped in with a crucial steal and layup, closing the deficit 21-17 with 8:04 left in the half. Shortly after, freshman Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.) knocked down a three-pointer off an assisted from Grenfell.
Jonas finished with her seventh career double-double with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. She added five assists and recorded 5-of-6 shooting from the floor. Dean also finished with her seventh career double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Her performance against Evansville marks her ninth-straight game in double figures. It is also the fourth time that both Dean and Jonas have recorded double-doubles in the same game.
The Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run late in the first half that included a pair of three-pointers by freshman Paige Greiner (Williamsburg, Iowa), giving Drake a 30-26 lead. Later Greiner stole the ball and Wendell converted a layup off an assist from Greiner along with another three-pointer by Dean that helped the Bulldogs lead the Purple Aces, 36-31, at halftime.
Jonas opened the second half with a steal that led to a three-pointer by Dean. Later, Dean hauled in an offensive rebound and putback giving Drake a 43-37 lead. For the game, Dean shot 8-of-19 from the floor and knocked down four three-pointers.
Later Jonas dished it out to Dean on the three-point line for another three. Wendell followed with another three, keeping Drake in the lead, 61-53. Greiner with her own three for the Bulldogs giving them a nine-point lead with 8:12 left in play.
Wendell has now recorded 10 or more points in 38 straight games. She also leads the MVC in 20-plus scoring games with 17 on the season.
Greiner stopped a 7-0 run by Evansville with another three, maintaining a seven-point lead for Drake with three minutes remaining in the game. She matched her career high for three-pointers with four and added a career-high five rebounds.
Drake will welcome Indiana State on Sunday, Feb. 22, to the Knapp Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. and will follow the Drake men's game against Missouri State. Fans that have tickets to the men's game will be allowed to stay for the women's game for free. Sunday is also Fan Appreciation Day with numerous prizes to be given away.
