DES MOINES, Iowa –
Kierra Collier took over down the stretch for the Drake University women's basketball team, scoring seven-straight points late in the fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs the lead for good in an 85-72 win over Bradley on Thursday night at the Knapp Center. Collier finished with 22 points, her second-highest output of the season.
Drake (19-7, 11-3 MVC), which hosted its annual Pink Game presented by Mercy One Des Moines Medical Center, came out of the gates playing inspired defense, limiting Bradley (19-5, 10-3 MVC) to 3-of-16 shooting (18.8 percent) in the first quarter. Drake closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 19-8 lead.
After Bradley opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer, Drake reeled off 10-straight points as its advantage ballooned to 29-11. Following a layup by
Monica Burich with 2:25 remaining in the half, Drake took its largest lead of the game, 36-16.
Bradley would not go away easily, however. The Braves used a 10-0 run in the third quarter to whittle Drake's lead to single digits heading into the final 10 minutes.
Bradley then outscored Drake, 10-0, to begin the fourth quarter, giving the Braves their first lead of the game, 65-64, with 7:50 remaining.
The sides exchanged blows as Bradley maintained a 70-69 lead with 3:42 to play, and then Collier erupted.
The redshirt sophomore swirled in a go-ahead 3-pointer from the right wing, then collected a rebound on the other end and knocked down two free throws after drawing a foul on the ensuing fast break. Collier capped her game-changing run with a steal and a layup in transition to push Drake's lead to 76-70 with 2:34 remaining.
The clinching sequence came moments later when Bradley's Nyjah White fouled
Becca Hittner. White, who fouled out was also assessed a technical foul, resulting in four free throws plus the ball for Drake.
Hittner made all four free throws, part of her game-high 24 points, and Collier converted an and-one to cap a seven-point possession for Drake. The sequence advanced the Bulldogs' lead from 76-72 to 83-72 in a matter of moments.
Sara Rhine contributed 17 points and tied Hittner for a game-best with 12 rebounds. Rhine tallied her seventh double-double of the year while Hittner recorded her fifth. The two seniors played key roles in contributing to Drake's 51-32 advantage on the glass. The Bulldogs also outscored Bradley, 13-1, in second chance points and 34-22 in points in the paint.
With the win, Drake moves past Bradley into second place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
Drake faces a quick turnaround as it hosts Illinois State on Saturday at 2 p.m. Hittner, Rhine and
Brenni Rose will be honored as it is Senior Day for three. The senior recognition will take place following the game against the Redbirds.
