EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Drake University women's basketball team begins a three-game road trip Friday night when it visits Evansville in Missouri Valley Conference action. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will take place in the Purple Aces' new on-campus home, Lois D. Patton Court, inside a remodeled Meeks Family Fieldhouse. The contest will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3.
 
Drake (16-7, 11-0 MVC) hits the road after home wins over Missouri State and Southern Illinois this past weekend. A balanced scoring attack was key in the victories as five Bulldogs scored in double figures in each contest. Drake's bench played very well in both games, led by redshirt junior Maddy Dean (Jordan, Minn.) and redshirt sophomore Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.), who each averaged 16.5 points per game in the win. In the win over the Salukis, the Bulldogs' reserves scored 42 points to just 2 from SIU's. The bench followed that with 44 points to 23 for the Lady Bears' reserves. This season, Drake's bench has outscored its MVC opponents' benches, 416-195, and in 10 out of 11 MVC contests, the Bulldogs' bench has outscored the opposition's bench.
 
Dean was honored by the MVC Wednesday for her outstanding play and her work in the classroom. The Jordan, Minn., native was named MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week for the second time in her career. This season, Dean, who missed all of 2016-17 due to injury, is averaging 9.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. She has scored double-figures in five of the past six games. In league games, Dean averages 11.2 points and a league-best 4.0 assists per game.  
 
Evansville (3-18, 0-10 MVC) is vying for its first MVC win this season. The Purple Aces have dealt with injuries to key players, including senior point guard Brooke Dossett who played in just nine non-conference games and hasn't played in the league season. As a team, Evansville leads the MVC in free throw percentage (83.4) and three-point percentage (36.2).
 
In the first meeting between the teams, Drake scored a season-high 107 points as the team tied its season-best with 14 three-pointers. Four Bulldogs scored double-digit points.
 
Following Friday's game, Drake travels to Indiana State Sunday for a 1 p.m. matinee. The game against the Sycamores will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3.