The Drake University women's basketball team returns to Des Moines after going 1-1 on their road trip to Illinois. The Bulldogs will host Valparaiso on Friday Feb. 4 at 6pm and Loyola on Sunday Feb. 6 at 2pm.
 
Friday's annual Pink Game will feature pink Adidas jersey's worn by the Bulldogs. Drake Athletics recognizes cancer survivors on court at halftime and the first 3,000 fans Friday night will receive a free pink t-shirt, which will be laid on the seats.
 
Drake topped Bradley 80-56 on Jan. 27. Junior forward Maggie Bair led the Bulldogs with 19 points. She added seven rebound and one steal to her stat line.
 
Redshirt-junior forward Grace Berg added 16 points for Drake against Bradley, shooting 50 percent or greater from all areas of the floor.
 
The Bulldogs fell to Illinois State, 70-58, on Jan. 29. The Bulldogs held the lead the first half, until Redbird senior Mary Crompton hit a three with under three seconds left in the half to tie the game 28-28.
 
Drake managed to shut down the Redbirds star player, JuJu Redmond, as they held her to only 25 percent shooting in the first half.
 
Junior guard Megan Meyer had a career night when she dropped 22 points in 31 minutes, shooting six for eight from the arc.
 
Her performance against the Redbirds earned her Valley Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season.
 
The Bulldogs have won the Valley's Newcomer nomination three weeks straight.
 
Bair added 16 points for Drake, along with grabbing nine rebounds, three steals, and recording three blocks.
 
Valparaiso topped Evansville 74-62 on Jan. 23. Junior guard Olivia Brown led the Beacons with 21 points and added six rebounds, two assists, and two steal.
 
Fifth year forward/guard Grace White added 18 points, making 13 in under three minutes. She led the Beacons in rebounds with eight and recorded four blocks.
 
Valpo fell to Loyola, 62-48, on Jan. 28. The Beacon's Shay Frederick recorded 17 points and White added another 12.
 
The Ramblers had three people score in double digits – Bre Hampton-Bay 14 points, Maya Chandler 13 points, Allison Day 13 points.
 
Day led the Ramblers in rebounds against the Beacons, as she grabbed nine, falling just short of a double double.
 
The Ramblers were scheduled to host Indiana State on Jan. 23, but the game was postponed due to COVID concerns in the Sycamores program.
 
When the Bulldogs faced Valpo and Loyola in January, they fell to both.
 
After hosting a pair of home games, the Bulldogs will hit the road for their next three games.