Normal, Ill. – Illinois State used a hot-shooting third quarter to down the Drake University women's basketball team, 81-71, on Saturday afternoon at Redbird Arena. Illinois State shot 6-of-9 from 3-point range and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line to outscore the Bulldogs, 30-19, in the pivotal third period.
 
The Redbirds' 3-point prowess was a theme throughout the contest as they nailed 52.0 percent of their tries from deep and connected on 13 triples – the most Drake has allowed to a Valley opponent this season.
 
Drake (12-10, 10-5 MVC) showed off its own long-distance acumen by shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from 3 in the first period. Monica Burich and Allie Wooldridge connected on back-to-back triples to spur on an 8-0 Bulldogs burst.
 
Grace Berg set the tone early, stuffing the stat sheet with game-highs of 12 points, five rebounds and three assists in the first half. She finished with a game-best 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting and matched Burich for team-bests with seven rebounds and four assists.
 
Mya Mertz delivered a buzzer-beating layup as Drake took a 36-34 advantage into the break.
 
The Bulldogs' fortune turned in the third quarter beginning with a pair of 3-pointers in a 30-second span by Illinois State's Terrion Moore. After the Redbirds converted a four-point play and connected on a buzzer-beating triple, Drake suddenly found itself in a nine-point hole heading into the fourth quarter. The Redbirds (12-6, 9-6 MVC) scored 30 points in the period after posting 34 in the first half.
 
Sarah Beth Gueldner posted nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from long range, including a triple late in the fourth quarter as Drake made one final push. It marks the 10th-straight game she's netted multiple 3-pointers.
 
Drake returns to action Wednesday with a trip to Cedar Falls for a showdown with UNI at 6 p.m..