DES MOINES, Iowa – Sophomores Lizzy Wendell (Blue Springs, Mo.) and Caitlin Ingle (Runnells, Iowa) scored 19 points and 17 points, respectively, for the Drake University women's basketball team in a hard fought 80-70 loss to the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the first round of the 2015 WNIT on Friday (March 20) night at the Knapp Center.
Drake (20-11), who recorded its most wins in a season since the 2007-08 campaign, mounted a massive comeback attempt after falling behind by as many as 13 points late in the first half to Eastern Michigan (23-12).
The Bulldogs came out of the locker room in the second half locked in and raced all the way back to tie the game at 47-47 after a steal and a layup up by redshirt senior Carly Grenfell (York, Neb.) just over four minutes in.
The Eagles took the lead back going ahead by four points at the 12:56 mark, but once again the Bulldogs had an answer as freshman Paige Greiner (Williamsburg, Iowa) hit a huge three-pointer off the bench to pull back within one point at 53-52 with 11:28 to go in the game.
In a game that featured many runs, Eastern Michigan went on a 13-2 scoring run to go up 66-55 with 7:34 left. However, a resilient Drake squad led by its talented underclassmen didn't back down and answered with its own run.
Ingle, Grenfell and freshman Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.), who recorded her eighth career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out late, hit consecutive three-pointers as the Bulldogs trailed by just two points, 66-64, with 6:06 remaining in the game. The barrage of three-pointers forced the Eagles to call a timeout.
Out of the timeout, Eastern Michigan scored back-to-back buckets before Dean hit another three-pointer to cut deficit back to 70-67. Later, Ingle hit two free throws to pull back within three points at 72-69 with 3:43 to go. However, it would be as close as Drake would as Wendell had the team's only point on a free throw as the Eagles outscored the Bulldogs 8-1 to end the game and advance to the second round of the WNIT.
Wendell started the night on a tear scoring eight points as Drake led 11-8 at the first stoppage of play. Eastern Michigan responded with a 15-2 scoring run to take a 21-13 as the Bulldogs called timeout with 9:29 to go in the opening half.
Grenfell made a three-pointer and Ingle drilled a jumper to climb within eight points at 28-20. Eastern Michigan led 37-28 at halftime. Wendell scored a team-high 11 points in the half.
The Eagles were led in scoring by sophomore Cha Sweeney, who finished with a game-high 28 points.
Drake's seniors ended their Bulldog careers on high notes. Grenfell had eight points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal in 22 minutes. Cara Lutes (Maplewood, Minn.) scored two points and pulled down eight boards and swatted three shots and nabbed two steals. Liza Heap (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) added five boards and two assists.
Drake is now 13-12 all-time in WNIT games as the Bulldogs have played in the tournament 11 times. Tonight was the first trip to the WNIT for the program since the 2011-12 season.
