DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team never trailed in an 84-53 victory over Valparaiso Sunday afternoon in Missouri Valley Conference play at the Knapp Center.
Drake (12-4, 4-0 MVC), which wrapped up its two-game homestand and its only contests this month inside the Knapp Center, was led by
Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.), who scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Becca Hittner (Urbandale, Iowa) recorded her sixth career double-double and first this season with 19 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Off the bench,
Nicole Miller (Walker, Iowa) added a season-high 15 points to go with three assists and three steals.
Valparaiso (4-11, 0-3 MVC) hit 13 three-pointers as part of its 20 total field goals. The Crusaders were led in scoring by Grace Hales' team-high 18 points while Ella Ellenson added 10 points.
Sammie Bachrodt (Wichita, Kan.) drilled a three-pointer four seconds into the game and it was all Drake the rest of the quarter as it led 31-7 after one quarter. Drake shot 68.8 percent from the floor, scored 14 points off turnovers and scored 12 points in the paint. Hittner had 10 points in the period while Miller and Rhine each scored six points.
Drake pushed its advantage to 48-18 at halftime. After halftime, the Bulldogs committed two turnovers and missed on another possession in their first three possessions of the third quarter. However, after a Valpo bucket at the 7:30 mark, Drake pushed its lead to a game-high 37 points after Miller's layup.
The Crusaders would cut the deficit to 20 points at one point in fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs answered with an 11-point scoring run and later
Brenni Rose (Shawnee, Kan.) hit a three-pointer for the team's final points.
Drake dominated the paint, 36-14, and controlled the glass, 40-27. As a team, the Bulldogs made 19-of-21 from the free throw line. Hittner and Rhine each went 7-of-8 at the line. Bachrodt handed out a season-high eight assists.
Following Sunday's home game, Drake hits the road for an in-state contest at UNI Jan. 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Cedar Falls. The game will be streamed on ESPN3.
