DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team begins the second half of its Missouri Valley Conference schedule Friday night against Southern Illinois at the Knapp Center. Tipoff with the Salukis is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Friday's game is Dollar Night at the Knapp Center with advance tickets available for $1 via DrakeTix.com/promo (promo code: DOLLAR) or call 515-271-DOGS (3647). Select concessions will also be available for $1.
 
Drake (14-7, 9-0 MVC) went undefeated in the first half of MVC play for the third time in five seasons. The Bulldogs accomplished the impressive feat after road wins at Illinois State and Bradley last weekend. Drake rallied from a 12-point, second-quarter deficit against the Redbirds and in Peoria, Ill., held off a late charge from the Braves.
 
SIU (12-8, 7-2 MVC) sits in a tie for second place in the MVC standings with Missouri State (11-9, 7-2 MVC), which visits the Knapp Center Super Bowl Sunday for a 2 p.m. matinee. On Jan. 26 in Carbondale, Ill., the Salukis edged the Lady Bears, 71-69, in overtime in each team's last contest. Senior Kylie Giebelhausen, a preseason All-MVC selection, averages a team-high 11.4 points per game. In the win over the Lady Bears, Giebelhausen posted impressive all-around numbers with 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals.
 
Earlier this year, Drake defeated SIU, 75-64, in Carbondale as four Bulldogs scored in double figures. Sophomore Becca Hittner (Urbandale, Iowa), who along with teammate Sammie Bachrodt (Wichita, Kan.) joined Giebelhausen on the preseason All-MVC team, scored a game-high 16 points and handed out a career-high seven assists. Hittner not only led a balanced scoring attack, but with her career-best assists total was one of six Bulldogs who recorded two or more assists. Drake, which is the top assists team in the nation at 22.6 per game, tallied 23 assists on 28 field goals in the win.
 
The Salukis have won four of their last five games after the loss to Drake with their only defeat during that span at Bradley by one-point, 63-62. Drake and SIU have played each other at least twice every season since 1979.
 
Following Friday's game, Drake hosts Missouri State Sunday. The 2 p.m. contest will be the MVC's featured game on ESPN3. Drake women's basketball will celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day Sunday. NGWSD recognizes the extraordinary progress sparked by Title IX and the ongoing effort to ensure access to sports for girls and women. Research indicates that girls who play sports have better health, higher self-esteem, stronger leadership skills, and greater academic achievement and economic opportunity. Thanks to a generous donation to Drake Athletics, please join Drake Women's Basketball for this FREE clinic as we work to get local girls involved in sports and expand their opportunities in life. Clinic registration is now open to all local girls 8th-grade and under, and will close on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 or once all spots are filled. Space is limited and participant slots are filled on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to register early! Simply complete and submit the form via the "register link here". All clinic participants will receive a free t-shirt and four (4) complimentary game tickets to vs. Missouri State at 2 p.m. Additional tickets for friends and family will be available at a discounted rate.

Clinic Check-In at 12 p.m. - Shivers Basketball Practice Facility
NGWSD Clinic from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Shivers Basketball Practice Facility
Drake Women's Basketball vs. Missouri State at 2 p.m. - Knapp Center