DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team starts Missouri Valley Conference play against in-state rival UNI Friday night at the Knapp Center. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
The game is presented by Bankers Trust and is Teachers Appreciation Day. Discounted tickets are available online in recognition of teachers, who if they present their school ID at the concession stands can buy $1 popcorn and hot dogs as well as enter a drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift card. School supplies will be collected to support area schools. Enter Promo Code: Teachers at https://www.draketix.com/wbb.
 
Drake (8-4) is set to take Ron Pearson Court inside the Knapp Center for the first time since Dec. 5 when it hosted Waldorf for the annual "Pack the Knapp" game. It was their only home game in their past seven contests.
Drake rolled past Northern Illinois 73-49 in its final non-conference game on Dec. 29. The Bulldogs led nearly from start-to-finish and had four players finish in double figures. Drake held NIU to its second lowest point total of the season and as a team the Huskies shot just 28.4 percent (21-of-74) from the floor and made just 5-of-31 (16.1 percent) from beyond the arc.
 
Drake, which again played one of the nation's toughest non-conference schedules with an RPI of No. 30 as of Jan. 1, finished non-con play at the top of the MVC in several offensive statistical categories. The Bulldogs have led the league in assists per game, field goal percentage and scoring each of the past five seasons. Entering Friday, they again are at the top in assists per game (21.8), field goal % (47.3) and scoring (80.2).  
UNI (8-3) ended its non-conference slate on a three-game winning streak, including beating Iowa State in Ames in its final non-conference game. The Panthers are led in scoring by junior Karli Rucker's 12.8 average.
 
Following Friday's game, Drake starts MVC road action Jan. 10 at No. 19/21 Missouri State.