DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team clinched its sixth-straight 20-win season with an 87-82 victory over Illinois State Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at the Knapp Center.
Drake (20-7, 12-3 MVC) had four players finish in double figures led by
Sara Rhine who recorded her eighth double-double this season with a game-high 28 points to go with 10 rebounds.
Becca Hittner had a balanced game with 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Brenni Rose did as well with seven points, six rebounds, and three assists. The three seniors were honored after the home finale win for their outstanding careers at Drake. Also, in double figures were
Kierra Collier and
Maddie Monahan who each scored 10 points.
Illinois State (15-10, 7-7 MVC) had four in double digits led by Lexi Wallen's 23 points.
The back-and-forth game featured nine lead changes and nine score ties. The Redbirds led by one at the start of the fourth quarter, and at one point in the game had a 13-point advantage in the second quarter. The Bulldogs fought back to pull within one at halftime, 35-34, and later in the third led by seven.
However, Illinois State answered and made tough baskets each time Drake looked on the verge of pulling away. Collier's layup put the Bulldogs up four midway through the fourth, but Redbirds' freshman Mary Crompton, who made six three-pointers and finished with 18 points, hit her final three to tie the game at 78-all. Tete Maggett then gave Illinois State the lead with a pair of free throws with 1:26 left in the game.
It was the Redbirds' final lead though as Drake grabbed key rebounds, forced turnovers and made critical free throws down the stretch. In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs made 15-of-17 from the free throw line, including Monahan, Rhine and Rose making 11-of-12 combined in the final minutes. Hittner converted a critical three-point play in the last period and made 3-of-3 from the free throw line.
Rose made two free throws with 36 seconds to go that gave Drake the lead for good. Later, Hittner nabbed a steal and Rhine and Monahan would each make two free throws as Drake completed the rally.
Maggie Negaard and
Monica Burich scored eight and seven points, respectively, off the bench. The Bulldogs owned a 35-31 rebounding margin and knocked down 22-of-24 free throws.
Drake starts its regular season-ending three-game road trip at Loyola on Feb. 28. Tipoff at Gentile Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
