Away We Go!
Missouri Valley Conference teams have combined for a 7-8 non-conference record (through games of Monday, Nov. 12). Last year, the league had a 4-7 start through the first week of the campaign.
NOTEBOOK (PDF)
Power Five Up Ahead
This week, the MVC schedule features two games against Power Five schools, including Missouri State at #16 Missouri and Valparaiso at Illinois. The conference sits 1-0 against Power Five opponents as Drake beat Nebraska in Lincoln in the season opener. Last season, the MVC earned four wins over members of Power Five conferences.
MSU vs. Ranked Foes
The Lady Bears visit a ranked Missouri club on Tuesday evening in search of their 20th all-time victory against top-25 teams. Missouri State owns a 19-46 all-time record against ranked competition, and has six true road wins versus the top 25.
Double-Doubles
During opening week, the MVC had seven players notch double-doubles: Drake’s Sara Rhine had a pair, while Drake’s Maddy Dean, Evansville’s Kerri Gasper, Illinois State’s Simone Goods, Indiana State’s Regan Wentland, UNI’s Megan Maahs and Southern Illinois’ Abby Brockmeyer each had one. UNI’s Megan Maahs led the league with 12 double-doubles a season ago.
Out and Running
The Salukis scored 94 points in their season opener against UT Martin- their most in an opener since SIU put up 95 points against Murray State on Nov. 23, 1996. Southern was especially effective from inside the arc, as they shot 63.2% from 2-point range. According to herhoopsstats.com, SIU’s two-point shooting percentage is currently the seventh-best nationally.
Sharing the Rock
Drake racked up 32 assists on 40 field goals in a 98-71 win at Western Illinois Saturday, which ranks as the third highest total in a Division I game this season (Baylor, 36; Iowa, 33). The 32 assists are tied for the sixth-highest single game total in MVC history, equaling the Bulldogs’ season high from a year ago.
Southern Illinois dished out 23 assists on 34 field goals in the season opener at UT Martin, which is the most in a season opener since the Salukis dished out 29 in a win over Murray State on Nov. 23, 1996.
Preseason WNIT
The Panthers won the opening round of the Preseason WNIT and advanced to the second round after a win against Delaware where they fell on the road at No. 19 Marquette. UNI travels to Northern Illinois in its final game of the WNIT on Sunday, Nov. 18.
Poll Position
Drake continues to receive votes in this week’s AP Top 25 Poll, receiving three votes this week (Nov. 12).
Mid-Major Top-25 Poll
Drake appeared in the preseason (Nov. 1) CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 earlier this fall. The Bulldogs sit fifth in the poll, while UNI is receiving votes.
1,000 Point Club
UNI senior guard Ellie Howell became the 24th member of the Panther 1,000-point club. She scored 15 points in each of her first games to advance her career mark of 1,005. Howell is one of three active MVC players in the 1,000 point club.
Current MVC Players in 1,000 Point Club
1,235 - Maddy Dean, Drake
1,062 - Sara Rhine, Drake
1,005 - Ellie Howell, UNI
Milestone Watch
Valpo senior Meredith Hamlet has moved to within striking distance of the 1,000 point club as she enters Wednesday’s game with 983 career points. She would become just the 15th player in program history to score over 1,000 points.