Jenny Yopp believes her four post players have improved dramatically since the last time her Illinois State basketball team faced Drake center Carla Bennett. But Yopp also believes she will need terrific performances from
Nadia Peruch,
Sharon Blade,
Kristi Larson and
DJ Flournoy to have a chance against the 6-foot-3 Bulldog star.
"Carla Bennett isn't just big," said Yopp, whose Redbirds play Drake at 7 p.m. Friday at the Knapp Center. "She has height, size, strength, skills and shooting touch and she knows how to use them all."
ISU hopes the collective efforts of their four posts can make a difference. Blade and Flournoy are more experienced defensively. Overcoming early-season foot injuries, Larson has made huge contributions lately, including a season-high 16 points against Southwest Missouri State on Saturday. Peruch has played some of the best basketball of her career recently.
"Nadia always did some things well and had a good mental approach to the game," said Yopp. "Lately, she has been making the impact plays over the course of the game. She hits big shots. She gets big boards. She turns up her defense. She has an understanding of the game that really makes a difference."
The Bulldogs, 14-4 overall, 10-1 in the Valley, are on a seven-game winning streak since their only league loss Jan. 7 to Creighton--a loss avenged with a 75-69 win at Creighton on Sunday.
First-year coach Lisa Stone has more to challenge opponents than just Bennett, the league's No. 5 scorer and No. 2 rebounder. Drake's perimeter starters include Erin Richards, Kristin Santa and Stephanie Schmitz. All three average in double figures scoring and are among the league's top 10 in free throw percentage. Santa leads the Missouri Valley Conference in assists.
"It's not just Bennett, it's Richards, Santa and Schmitz," said Yopp, whose Redbirds are 4-16 overall, 2-9 in the Valley. "They all are great shooters who know how to play the game. Their entire first five are tough."
In their first meeting with Drake, the Bulldog zone defense kept ISU in check early as Drake took a 20-point lead.
"We really had trouble recognizing their zone," said Yopp. "Drake does a good job of mixing up their defenses."
