EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After a season-long four-game homestand at the Knapp Center, the Drake University women's basketball starts a two-game road trip to Indiana Thursday night at Evansville. Tipoff against the Purple Aces is scheduled for 6 p.m. The road trip ends at Indiana State Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. CST. Both Missouri Valley Conference road games will be streamed on ESPN3.
Drake (16-7, 8-3 MVC) is coming off its first home loss in more than a calendar year as then No. 24 Missouri State held off a late rally attempt for an 89-83 win Sunday afternoon. The Lady Bears' victory snapped a 17-game home winning streak for the Bulldogs. The impressive streak was tied for the third longest active in the nation.
In the close loss,
Sara Rhine scored a career-high 31 points on an impressive 13-of-18 shooting performance, including tying her career-best with three three-pointers. Rhine added 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the year and the 22
nd in her career.
Becca Hittner scored 23 points after she poured in 31 in the Bulldogs' win over SIU Friday night. The big weekend helped Hittner win her first MVC Player of the Week award this season and the seventh in her career. Hittner needs just nine points to join Rhine in the 2,000 points club.
Drake knocked down 22 three-pointers in the two games at the Knapp Center, including 15 against the Salukis as seven Bulldogs made at least one in the victory. Hittner made nine in the two games, including a career-high seven against SIU, which is tied for the third best single game total in program history. Hittner's big weekend from beyond the arc helped her move from No. 6 all-time at Drake to No. 2 in program history with 241 makes. Lindsay Whorton (2004-08) holds the school record from most three-pointers with 266.
Evansville (3-19, 0-11 MVC) is mired in a 12-game losing streak. The Purple Aces are led by freshman standout Abby Feit, who averages team-high totals of 13.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Indiana State (3-20, 1-10 MVC) will host UNI Thursday night before the Bulldogs visit. The Sycamores defeated Evansville for their league win. Junior Jamyra McChristine leads the team in scoring at 9.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.
Following the road trip, Drake returns to the Knapp Center for its final two home games of the regular season. Bradley visits Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. before Illinois State closes the Bulldogs' home slate on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
