DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women's basketball team, the defending Missouri Valley Conference champions, announced its 2017-18 MVC schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 5. The Valley portion completes the 2017-18 schedule for Drake, which announced its non-conference slate in July.
 
Drake, coming off a historic 2016-17 season which included winning the MVC regular season and tournament titles and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the 11^th time in program history, will start the league slate at the Knapp Center against new MVC member, Valparaiso, on Dec. 29. The Bulldogs then host Loyola on New Years Eve (Dec. 31).
 
Following its opening weekend at home, Drake visits Missouri State (Jan. 5) and Southern Illinois (Jan. 7). The Bulldogs return to the Knapp Center for their next three games, beginning with Indiana State (Jan. 12) before Evansville (Jan. 14) and UNI (Jan. 19) visit. Drake ends the month of January with road games at Illinois State (Jan. 26) and Bradley (Jan. 28).
 
The month of February starts at home for Drake, which hosts Southern Illinois (Feb. 2) and Missouri State (Feb. 4). The Bulldogs play at Evansville (Feb. 9), Indiana State (Feb. 11) and UNI (Feb. 16). Drake welcomes Bradley (Feb. 23) and Illinois State (Feb. 25) for its final homestand of the 2017-18 season.
 
The Bulldogs start March at Loyola (March 1) and finish the regular season at Valparaiso (March 3).
 
For the third straight year, the iWireless Center in Moline, Ill., will play host to the MVC Championship, March 8-11.
 
For ticket information visit www.draketix.com and to buy season tickets call 515-271-DOGS (3647).