DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team erupted for an 18-0 run in the second quarter to take control for good against Indiana State as the Bulldogs cruised to a 105-65 victory at the Knapp Center Friday night.
 
Maddie Monahan recorded a career-best 21 points as Drake (11-5, 3-1 MVC) improved to 7-0 on its home court this season. Indiana State (2-15, 0-5 MVC) was led in scoring by its leading scorer, Jamyra McChrstine, who had 16 points.
 
Sara Rhine dominated in the early going. She posted eight points, four rebounds and four blocks in the opening ten minutes. Rhine was often the beneficiary of beautiful ball movement.
 
Indiana State put pressure on ball-handlers with tight defense, but the Bulldogs showed their composure by assisting on all nine field goals in the first quarter. The Bulldogs ended the game with a season-high 28 assists on 32 made shots.
 
Drake earned nine free throw attempts in the first quarter as a result of Indiana State's physical play. As a team, the Bulldogs knocked down a season-high 38 on 47 attempts at the line.
 
Becca Hittner nailed an off-the-dribble 3-pointer, her first points of the game, to beat the first-quarter buzzer and put the Bulldogs ahead 27-14. That bucket got Hittner rolling as she reeled off 11 points in the second quarter, sparking Drake to its game-changing 18-0 run. Hittner finished with 16 points and added six rebounds and two assists.
 
The Bulldogs led 52-21 at halftime, but Indiana State began the third quarter on a 16-6 burst. Drake steadied the ship and took a commanding 73-44 advantage into the final frame, and head coach Jennie Baranczyk was able to get multiple players experience down the stretch.
 
Rhine finished with a career-high six blocks to go along with 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and six rebounds. Her two-way prowess allowed Drake to build a 39-27 advantage in rebounds and outscore Indiana State in the paint, 54-36. Rhine moved to No. 6 all-time in career scoring going past Carla Bennett (1,928) as she has 1,947 career points. Her six blocks give her 80 in her career as she took over No. 6 all-time from program legend, Wanda Ford (79).
 
Brenni Rose, who leads the MVC in assists, tallied nine on the night to increase her average. Rose added six points, five rebounds and two blocks. Maggie Negaard and Monica Burich continued to provide energy off the bench with 12 and eight points, respectively. Maggie Bair returned to the court after not playing in the last two games and she had nine points. The Bulldogs' reserves scored 42 points. Monahan made a career-high seven field goals and seven free throws.
 
Drake has a quick turnaround as it hosts Evansville on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Knapp Center.