Women's Basketball Tournament

WBB Recap: Drake 81, Valparaiso 55

Final Score
(6) Drake 81, (11) Valparaiso 55          
 
Updated Records
 (6) Drake 12-19 (10-10 MVC)               (11) Valparaiso 0-32 (0-20 MVC)             
 
What’s Next
DU WINS
(6) Drake: Friday, March 13 at 8:30 pm vs. (3) Illinois State in the fourth quarterfinal game (Game 7) of the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament
(11) Valparaiso: Season is complete
 
Turning Point
Making 5-of-6 from three-point range, Drake dominated with a 27-12 second quarter advantage and cruised to an 81-55 win over Valparaiso in the Opening Round of the Credit Union1 MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament at Coralville, Iowa. Abbie Aalsma led five DU players in double-figures scoring with 16.
 
MVC Tournament Notes
DU WINS
(6) Drake: Looking for its 10th tourney title, Drake is 55-27 in the tournament—the winningest team in tournament history. The Bulldogs are 4-0 against Valpo in MVC Tournament play. They are 2-2 as a No. 6 seed and 5-0 in Opening Round games.  No. 6 seeds are 15-32 in the tournament with one championship.
(11) Valparaiso: Now 3-8 all-time in the tournament, the Beacons are 0-4 vs. Drake in MVC Tournament play. They are 0-2 as a No. 11 seed and 3-3 in Opening Round games. No. 11 seeds are 0-4 in the tournament.
 
Team Notes
(6) Drake:
  • Drake missed its first six 3-point attempts, then made 5-of-6 from the arc, three by Abbie Aalsma.
  • The Bulldogs have won at least one game in the tournament in 10 straight tournaments.
  • Alison Pohlman’s MVC Tournament record at Drake is 9-2, including two championships.
  • Drake is 14-1 in the MVC Tournament when scoring at least 80 points.
(11) Valparaiso:
  • Valparaiso has lost five straight games in the tournament—all in the Opening Round.