Box Score (PDF)
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Illinois State women's basketball team was defeated by first-place Drake, 101-49, Friday evening in Missouri Valley Conference action inside the Knapp Center. With the loss the Redbirds fall to 6-17 (3-9 MVC) on the season, while the Bulldogs run their win streak to 13 games and improve to 19-4 (12-0 MVC) overall. Drake's 12-0 MVC mark also equals the MVC record for the best conference start in league history.
Illinois State led 5-1 to start the contest, before the Bulldogs netted seven straight. After sophomore Viria Livingston scored on a put-back layup to trim the deficit to 8-7, Drake took control for good, using a 16-3 run to end the opening quarter leading 24-10.
The Redbirds would never get closer in the contest, as the Bulldogs shot a staggering 59.7 percent (37-of-62) from the field, including 52.2 percent (12-of-23) from behind the arc, as the home team assisted on 31 of their 37 made field goals. Drake also forced Illinois State into 19 turnovers, with 14 coming on steals, resulting a 24-4 advantage in points off turnovers.
The Redbirds shot 32.7 percent (18-of-55) from the floor and connected on 4-of-18 from downtown.
Senior Taylor Stewart led Illinois State with nine points and five rebounds, while freshman Frannie Corrigan added seven points and five rebounds. Livingston corralled a game-high seven caroms.
"Drake is a very good team and very balanced," head coach Barb Smith said. "They move the ball so well and know how to get their shots; nothing is forced. This is what we are aspiring to be; we are trying to be like Drake. We have a ways to get there and need to keep getting better every day."
Lizzy Wendell led the Bulldogs with 22 points, four rebounds and four steals, while Becca Hittner added 20 points and seven boards, as she knocked down 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Sammie Bachrodt chipped in 13 points and five rebounds, and Caitlin Ingle dished out a game-high 10 assists.
The Redbirds return to action Sunday, Feb. 12, when they conclude their Iowa road swing at Northern Iowa, with tipoff slated for 2 p.m. at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls.
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