Drake drubs Valpo in MVC quarterfinal
MOLINE, Ill. — The Drake women’s basketball team took its first step toward a potential repeat as Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champions by blasting Valparaiso 89-40 in the first of Friday’s four quarterfinals at the TaxSlayer Center.
The top-seeded Bulldogs (24-7) used a 19-0 run during the first quarter to take command early, bouncing out to a 23-6 lead that led to a 46-18 halftime advantage against the eighth-seeded Crusaders (13-18).
Four players scored in double figures for Drake, which got 44 points from its bench and shot 42 percent from the field.
Reserves Maddy Dean and Sara Rhine scored 19 points apiece to lead all players, while newly annointed MVC Player of the Year Becca Hittner added 18 points for Drake. Brenni Rose added 15 points and eight rebounds as the Bulldogs bulldozed their way into the MVC semifinals.
Drake pulled down 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 17 second-chance points, and forced 17 turnovers that resulted in 19 points.
Caitlin Morrison was Valparaiso’s only double-digit scorer, leading the Crusaders with 11 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
Drake will take on fourth-seeded Southern Illinois (17-13) in today’s 1:30 p.m. semifinal. The Salukis defeated Indiana State 69-67 in their quarterfinal contest.
No. 2 Missouri State (20-10) meets No. 3 Northern Iowa (18-12) in the 4 p.m. semifinal.