DES MOINES, Iowa – After falling behind early, the Drake University women's basketball team clawed back against No. 24/19 Missouri State, but the Lady Bears held on for an 89-83 victory on Sunday afternoon at the Knapp Center. The result snaps a 17-game home winning streak for Drake (16-7, 8-3 MVC). It was tied for the third-longest active home court winning streak in the nation.
 
"We obviously didn't get the outcome we wanted, but what an incredible environment today," said Drake head coach Jennie Baranczyk. "This was a great game for women's basketball and for the Valley. We showed a really high-level game and what our league is capable of."
 
Sara Rhine showed what she is capable individually, leading Drake with a career-high 31 points to go along with 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double this season. Rhine countered Missouri State's physical inside play with her outside stroke. The redshirt senior tied a career-best with three 3-pointers.
 
After Missouri State (20-3, 10-1 MVC) used an 11-0 run in the opening minutes to seize control of the game early, Rhine responded by scoring the game's next seven points. The Lady Bears weathered the storm and held a 19-16 advantage after the first quarter, despite Rhine's 12 points and four rebounds.
 
The sequence foreshadowed the pattern of the game – Drake made a run, but Missouri State fended it off.
 
The Lady Bears made a run of their own to start the second quarter, reeling off the first seven points of the frame. Brenni Rose connected on a 3-pointer to briefly stem the tide, but Missouri State answered with a 12-0 run as Drake's deficit ballooned to 17.
 
"I felt like we came out and weren't playing with the same bounce we've been playing with," said Baranczyk. "Part of that was Missouri State. They're a great team. But the other part of that we have to figure out."


Three Bulldogs – Rhine (31), Hittner (23) and Maddie Monahan (16) – combined to score 70 of Drake's 83 points. Missouri State gained a 31-9 advantage in bench scoring.
 
Drake fell behind in offensive rebounds and turnovers, the two biggest reasons Missouri State attempted 13 more field goals and seven more free throws.
 
Kierra Collier provided a spark after missing Drake's last three games. She contributed six points on 2-of-2 shooting in 12 minutes.
 
"Today was disappointing, but at the same time it's encouraging for the future," said Baranczyk. "Unfortunately we didn't start well, but I thought we had opportunities. We have to continue to grow."
 
Drake will look to get back to its winning ways on the road against Evansville on Thursday, Feb. 13. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.