MURRAY, Ky. – Drake women's basketball fell behind early and could not close the gap against an experienced Murray State team as the Bulldogs suffered their second consecutive loss on Sunday. The Racers outran Drake to a 95-67 final.
 
Both teams traded fouls on the first two possessions but collectively started 0-for-6 from the floor despite multiple looks from the paint. Keslyn Secrist, and Indiana State transfer, logged the first tally on a midrange jumper before Anna Becker finally got Drake on the board with a 2-pointer of her own.
 
The Bulldogs eventually earned their first lead of the game on a deep Abbie Aalsma three, but Murray State (14-2, 4-0) was able to inch back in front on a Sharnecce Currie-Jelks and-one.
 
Drake (4-11, 3-2) was forced to test its interior depth early as starting center Quinn Vice was charged with two quick fouls. Later in quarter, Maggie Taylor picked up two fouls of her own, drawing reserve forward Taedyn Gray off the bench.
 
The Racers benefitted from Drake's infractions, as well as the Bulldogs' poor shooting performance over the first 10 minutes, building a 20-11 difference after one.
 
Drake did its best to erase its first quarter deficit as the second stanza snaked toward the half. Taylor started an unselfish possession in which four of five Dogs touched the rock. Grace Knutson finished that trip off with a 3-pointer from the wing, cutting the margin to six.
 
Another Drake score trimmed the lead further, but the defending league champion Racers got back on track with eight straight to get their advantage back into double digits.
 
Gray put on a slick post move to snap a scoreless stretch of over three minutes, but Murray State immediately answered on the other end. The Racers were able to hold Drake to just 25 percent shooting in the first half as the Bulldogs suffered another dry spell for the final 2 1/2 minutes.
 
Murray State led 38-24 at halftime.
 
Becker scored the first seven points of the second half as Drake start to put a third quarter rally together, shortening the Murray State advantage back into single figures. But another Racer flurry halted the Drake charge as the hosts regained control.
 
Drake could not manage another run at the Racers the rest of the way. Murray State held on to a 68-47 lead after three quarters and continued to execute until the final horn.
 
The Bulldogs showed a few flashes down the stretch, but Murray State's explosive offense was simply too much as the Racers coasted to a 95-67 result.
 
"We didn't have enough [positive] moments," Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman said. "A lot of miscommunications on both defense and offense. Watched any chemistry we built against Belmont dissipated today. When you want to succeed in the game of basketball you need five players on the same page at all times…we need to be better as coaches to get them focused and executing more consistently. Credit to a veteran Murray State team today…as always, it's in the details."
 
Abbie Aalsma and Anna Becker led Drake's scoring effort with 11 points apiece. Aalsma added three rebounds and three assists while Becker snagged four boards and swiped three steals.
 
Elsewhere, Ava Hawthorne joined the double figure scorers with 10. Grace Knutson scored nine and matched her career high with six rebounds. Maggie Taylor posted the same stat line as Knutson with nine points and six boards.
 
Drake will be back home next weekend with a tilt against Bradley on Friday, Jan. 16. Tip off between the Bulldogs and Braves is set for 6 p.m. in the Knapp Center.
 
Notes

• With the loss, Drake fell to 4-11 overall and 3-2 in MVC play.
• Drake and Murray State were deadlocked on the glass with 41 rebounds apiece.
• The Bulldogs shot just 31.7 percent (20-63) from the field.
• Abbie Aalsma and Anna Becker led Drake's scoring effort with 11 points apiece.
• Aalsma added three rebounds and three assists.
• Becker snagged four boards and swiped three steals.
• Ava Hawthorne joined the double figure scorers with 10.
• Grace Knutson scored nine and matched her career high with six rebounds.
• Maggie Taylor posted the same stat line as Knutson with nine points and six boards.
• Drake is now 5-3 all-time against Murray State.
• Sunday marked the Bulldogs' first ever loss in Murray.