DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team hosts its final Missouri Valley Conference regular season home games this week at the Knapp Center.
Drake (18-7, 10-3 MVC) starts the final homestand Thursday night against Bradley (19-4, 10-2 MVC) at 6 p.m. in the annual Pink Game presented by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center . The Bulldogs then welcome Illinois State (14-9, 6-6 MVC) Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. for Alumni and Senior Day.
The first 4,000 fans Thursday night will receive a free pink t-shirt, free limited G&L pink bandanas will be handed out, TGIF pregame concession deals will be available: $1 hot dogs, $1 popcorn, $1 16 oz soda and $2 slices of pizza.
A special halftime ceremony will take place where those who have fought or are currently fighting cancer are invited to come out on the court. Others are asked to fill out a "I Fight For" card that be held up during the halftime ceremony.
Following Saturday's contest, Drake will honor its 2019-20 senior class of
Becca Hittner,
Sara Rhine and
Brenni Rose.
The three have combined to play in more than 375 career games, win more than 120 games and their names are found among or just outside the career leaders in several program and MVC statistical categories. The trio have helped Drake claim three regular-season MVC championships, two MVC tournament titles and three-straight NCAA Tournament berths.
Hittner and Rhine rank first and tied for second in scoring in the MVC at 18.2 and 17.6 points per game, respectively. Last week, Hittner joined Rhine in the 2,000 career points club with her 13 points in the Evansville win. The duo are the first-ever teammates in Drake or MVC history (men's or women's) to reach the impressive scoring mark together in the same season. Rose is the Valley's assists leader at 5.2 per game and is just outside the top 10 in career assists at Drake.
Bradley edged Drake, 77-76, Jan. 26 in Peoria, Ill. in the first game between the teams. The Braves' win snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. Bradley allows the fewest points per game at 61.5 in the MVC while Drake is the league's top scoring team at 82.5. Sophomore Lasha Petree is fourth in scoring at 16.8 points.
The Bulldogs defeated the Redbirds, 69-67, in overtime Jan. 24 in Normal. Drake rallied from an early deficit in overtime to earn the hard-fought overtime win, its first this season. Senior Lexi Wallen is tied with Rhine in scoring at 17.6 points.
Following Saturday's game, Drake starts its season-ending road trip at Loyola on Feb. 28.
