With a big second half, Drake bested Indiana State on Friday, 80-55. Sunday night the Bulldogs hosted Illinois State and outclassed the 3-13 Redbirds, 76-41. It was how a contender is supposed to play, never letting the Redbirds get close after the opening quarter.
After dropping five of their previous six, the Bulldogs have won three straight and sit at the No. 2 spot in the Missouri Valley Conference standings with a 10-5 (3-1) record, half a game behind Loyola.
The Bulldogs won their second and final exhibition game Sunday at the Knapp Center, drubbing Simpson, 94-61. Drake also beat Grand View on Tuesday, cruising past the Vikings, 96-46.
Repeating or exceeding last season’s success could be difficult. Senior leaders Liza Heap and Carly Grenfell both graduated.Center Becca Jonas, who along with Maddy Dean gave Drake the inside presence it had lacked in years prior, will miss the entire season after surgery on her left knee to repair a microfracture.