GAME INFORMATION
Final Score: Drake 91, Loyola 61
Records: Drake (18-8, 11-4 MVC); Loyola (13-14, 9-7 MVC)
Location: Knapp Center -- Des Moines, Iowa
Stats: Box Score | Season Stats

In Short...
Host Drake shot 49% from the field in the first half, knocking down seven threes, to build a 19-point halftime lead en route to defeating Loyola, 91-61, this evening inside the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa. With the win, the Bulldogs move to 18-8 (11-4 Missouri Valley), while the Ramblers fall to 13-14 (9-7 Missouri Valley).

How It Happened
Both teams operated at an efficient rate early on in the first quarter. Drake opened up an 8-4 edge on an old-fashioned three-point play by Caitlin Ingle at the 6:43 mark before Loyola responded with the game's next six points as it took a 12-10 lead on a layup by Taylor Manuel. With the game knotted up at 12, Paige Greiner knocked down a three following an offensive rebound to spark a 10-1 run to close the frame for the hosts as Drake took a 22-13 lead after one.

Back-to-back buckets from Nieka Wheeler and Taylor Johnson saw Loyola cut its deficit to five, 22-17, with just over two and a half minutes gone in the second quarter. That would prove to be as close as Loyola would get though as Sara Rhine responded with her first three-point basket of the night to bump the margin back to eight, 25-17, shortly after. As was the case in the first quarter, the Bulldogs used another run to create separation as they finished the half with a 16-6 spurt to roll into the break up by 19 (48-29).

Two scores by Wheeler saw Loyola cut its deficit to 17 on a pair of separate occasions during the third quarter. Drake had an answer for each Rambler push though. Another Rhine score gave the Bulldogs a 63-41 lead with 3:37 to go. The hosts kept their foot on the gas, using another run to race into the final frame with a 73-46 advantage.

Following a Maddy Dean three to open the fourth, Tashawnya Edwards knocked down a deep two to shave the deficit to 76-48 with 8:56 remaining. Grace Goodhart connected on her first of three fourth-quarter triples at the 4:59 mark but it wouldn't be enough as Drake closed out a 91-61 victory to sweep the season series.

Inside The Box Score
- With tonight's result, Drake extended its winning streak over Loyola to five games.
- Goodhart came off the bench to lead the Ramblers with 14 points on the night, just three off of her career-high in the category. The Sunnyvale, Texas also collected three rebounds and came away with a steal.
- Johnson and Wheeler joined Goodhart in double figures in scoring, each chipping in 12 points.
- Johnson, out of Frankfort, Ill., dished out a team-high six assists and shared the team lead in rebounding with Manuel after each collected six caroms.
- Preseason Valley Player of the Year pick Lizzy Wendell paced the Bulldog attack with 27 points as Drake registered a staggering 25 assists on 32 made baskets.

Up Next
Loyola closes out the road portion of its Valley schedule on Sunday afternoon when it travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa to take on Northern Iowa. Tip-off from McLeod Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.