Indiana State University Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Started from the bottom now we're here, started from the bottom now the whole team here. The rebound last week with a win over Evansville has Indiana State building much-needed confidence as the Sycamores head to Des Moines, Iowa to face the Missouri Valley Conference-leading Drake Bulldogs Friday evening.
 
Fans can watch worldwide as Indiana State attempts to end Drake's 26-game conference winning streak as the game will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3. Action, which starts at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT Friday, will also be carried live on the Sycamore Radio Network with Luke Martin calling the action. 
 
The last remaining unbeaten team in conference play in The Valley, Drake recently jumped to No. 20 in the Mid-Major Rankings.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Nobody really likes us except for us. That may be the motto for the Bulldogs, who are undefeated in MVC play currently, especially in this series. Drake holds a 53-22 lead, including a 31-6 advantage in games played in Des Moines.
 
LAST TIME OUT
An emotional week turned into emotional play which resulted in an emotional win for Indiana State as the Sycamores shut down one of the Missouri Valley Conference's most dangerous shooting teams in a 56-48 win over Evansville at the Hulman Center Friday evening.
 
The win ended a seven-game losing streak for Indiana State (3-11, 1-2) and marked the team's first conference win in nine tries. And as Josh Keister made his debut as the interim head coach for the Sycamores, it was an emotional relief for the program's new leader.
 
Wendi Bibbins led all players with 16 points to pace the Sycamores (3-11, 1-2). But it was her career-high five blocks and Indiana State's season-high 48 rebounds that provided plenty of excitement and emotion on the court.

As if that wasn't enough, Ashley Taia made her return to The Valley. She triumphantly returned to form with 12 points, two steals and two assists, most of which came in the second half.
 
LOOKING AT DRAKE
My team good, we don't really need a mascot. Well, even with a mascot (the Bulldogs), Drake has vaulted to 20th in the Mid-Major rankings this week and has won 26 consecutive Missouri Valley Conference games entering Friday's game against Indiana State, including a 4-0 mark this season. The Bulldogs are 9-7 overall on the season with a challenging non-conference schedule.
 
If you think I'mma quit before I die dream on. Drake embodies that with two games this year going to multiple overtime periods - Creighton (108-100, 4OT) and Nebraska (89-84, 2OT).
 
A sharp-shooting team that can drain a bucket from anywhere, Drake is shooting .458 from the field this year with a .332 mark from beyond the arc.
 
I'm way up, I feel blessed. Way up in the national rankings, that is. Drake is second in the nation in assists, fourth in assists per game, 15th in 3-point field goals made and 22nd nationally in 3-point field goal percentage making the Bulldogs one of the toughest offensive teams in the country.
 
CAN'T CATCH A BR3AK
Indiana State is seemingly on a run of facing great shooting opponents from deep. Entering this game, ISU is now facing its seventh straight opponent that enters the game shooting over 31 percent from beyond the arc. Even more challenging, four of those seven opponents are shooting over 37.5 percent from downtown.
 

Date	Opponent	Opp 3FG%
12/9	Central Michigan	.419
12/19	Miami (Ohio)	.446
12/21	Butler	.324
12/29	Missouri State	.379
12/31	Southern Illinois	.316
01/05	Evansville	.396
01/12	at Drake	.332

 
THIEVING TREES
State doesn't discriminate. It takes and it takes and it takes. Credit the Sycamores as they enter this game ranked 67th in the nation and first in The Valley in steals per game (9.9) and 104th in the nation in steals (138), ranking second in The Valley.
 
FORCING THE ISSUE
In addition to Indiana State leading The Valley in steals, the Sycamores are tops in the league and among the best in the conference in turnovers forced. Ranked 106th nationally, ISU is averaging 17.79 turnovers forced per game.
 
TREES TOPS IN TURNOVER MARGIN
With ISU leading the league in steals per game and turnovers forced and second in steals, it comes as no surprise that Indiana State ranks 97th in the nation – and atop The Valley – in turnover margin, with a +2.29 clip this season.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.