DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team had all nine players score in its defeat of the Illinois State Redbirds by a score 76-41 on Sunday night at the Knapp Center.
 
Drake (12-5, 5-1 MVC) shot 58.2 percent from the floor while holding Illinois State (3-13, 1-4 MVC) to just 26.8 percent shooting. The 41 points scored by the Redbirds is the lowest opponent points total allowed by the Bulldogs since Chicago State had 39 back on Dec. 2, 2012 (67-39).
 
Freshman Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.) had 17 points and seven rebounds in just 17 minutes. Junior Lizzy Wendell (Blue Springs, Mo.) once again posted an impressive line with 12 points, four rebounds, four steals, three steals and two blocks in 28 minutes.
 
Sophomore Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.) scored 11 points and handed out a career-high seven assists. Junior Caitlin Ingle (Runnells, Iowa) had eight points, eight assists and four rebounds in 23 minutes. Ingle is now sixth all-time in school history with 418 career assists as she broke a tie with Kristin Santa who handed out 412 assists from 1997-2001.
 
"I think our team is where we need to be and that we've learned a lot of lessons in every game this season," said Drake head coach Jennie Baranczyk. "I like the fact that we know we have to have the chemistry and togetherness and we know what is feels like to not just survive, but to excel."
 
Drake, who has now won five straight games, has handed out 116 assists as a team during the winning streak. Against Illinois State, Drake dominated in the paint with 50 points and had a huge night from its bench with 33 points.
 
Illinois State was led by Colleene Smith with 14 points, six rebounds and five steals. The Redbirds forced 24 turnovers by the Bulldogs and scored 20 points off the miscues.
 
The teams traded baskets to open the evening contest, but it would be the only tie as the Bulldogs never trailed. They led 19-14 after the first quarter then 38-24 at halftime. Drake at one point was ahead by 40 points late in the fourth quarter. Illinois State's 41 points is its lowest total in the longtime series that Drake now leads 37-35.
 
Drake has a week before its next game when it welcomes travel partner UNI on Sunday, Jan. 24 for a 2 p.m. matinee at the Knapp Center. The in-state contest will be broadcast regionally on Mediacom MC22 and on The Valley on ESPN3.