VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Drake University women's basketball team led from start to finish in an 88-62 victory at Valparaiso Friday night in Missouri Valley Conference action.
 
Becca Hittner (Urbandale, Iowa), the reigning MVC Player of the Week, continued her impressive scoring streak with a game-high 23 points in 24 minutes. Sara Rhine (Eldon. Mo.) posted her fourth straight and 10^th double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes. Sammie Bachrodt (Wichita, Kan.) scored 15 points, handed out seven assists and nabbed three steals. Nicole Miller (Walker, Iowa) tallied a career-high eight assists along with six points and three steals.
 
Drake (17-5, 9-1 MVC) played all 12 players as everyone logged at least six minutes. The Bulldogs handed out 29 assists on 36 field goals, dominated the paint with 56 points, scored 33 points off 23 turnovers and their bench finished with 21 points.
 
Valparaiso (6-16, 2-8 MVC) did nearly all scoring behind the three-point line making 15 as part of 22 field goals. Grace Hales led the Crusaders with 17 points.
 
A slow start with two empty possession at the start of the contest didn't stop the Bulldogs who scored the game's first five points and led by seven after the first quarter. In the second quarter, Drake's defense smothered Valpo, not allowing a point until four minutes remained as the Crusaders finished with just five in the period. Freshman Allie Wooldridge (Center Point, Iowa) scored a layup midway and was one of eight Bulldogs to score as they led 45-20 at halftime. Hittner and Rhine each scored 12 points. The Bulldogs scored 20 points off 11 Crusaders' turnovers and dominated the paint with 30 points.
 
Drake would lead by as many as 39 points midway through the fourth quarter before its starters left the game. Off the bench, Brenni Rose (Shawnee, Kan.) added five points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals with zero turnovers in 23 minutes. Wooldridge played a career-high 17 minutes.
 
Following Friday's game, Drake plays its final road game of the month at Loyola Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.