Indiana State University Athletics

Game 26 at #24/24 Drake
Game 26: Drake	Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019 | 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) | Des Moines, Iowa | Knapp Center
	TV/Video: ESPN+ | Radio: Sycamore Radio Network | Live Stats | Purchase Tickets
Full Game Notes	Indiana State | MVC | Drake
Series History	Drake: DU leads, 55-23 | Last game: Drake won, 70-68, on 1/27/2019 [Recap | Stats] | Streak: Lost 5
Social Media	@IndStWBB | #MarchOn | Facebook | @IndStWBB | YouTube

DES MOINES, Iowa – The last time Indiana State played Drake, the Bulldogs ruined the Sycamore upset bid in the waning seconds at Hulman Center. On Sunday, the Sycamores look to play spoilsport again, this time against a ranked squad in snowy Des Moines.
 
Tip-off between Indiana State and No. 24 Drake is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN+ wit BJ Schaben and Laura Leonard on the call. Walt Ferber will bring fans the action from the Knapp Center on the Sycamore Radio Network.
 
Series History

• This will be the 82nd meeting between the two schools. Drake leads the all-time series, 55-23.
• The Sycamores have not found Des Moines to be a pleasant place to visit as Drake is 32-5 all-time against ISU in Iowa's capital city.
• Indiana State heads to Des Moines looking to end a five-game losing streak in the series.
• Strong defense is the key - four out of the last five Sycamore wins in the series have seen Drake held to under 60 points.

Five Things to Know

1. Sycamores vs. the Top 25
   Sunday's contest at Drake will mark Indiana State's first game against a Top 25 since the 2014-15 season when the Sycamores beat No. 25 St. John's in double overtime, 73-67. Indiana State has a 3-7 record all-time against ranked opponents and its only game against a ranked Missouri Valley Conference opponent - No. 20 Missouri State - ended as a 69-60 win over the Lady Bears on Jan. 23, 1998.
2. Going to Battle
   Ty Battle is seemingly coming into her own late in the season. Since hosting Drake on Jan. 25, Battle is averaging 13.9 points per game, is shooting 50 percent from the field and is bringing down an average of 8.0 rebounds per game, leading the team in all three categories. But the sophomore forward isn't just performing well on offense as she leads the team with seven blocks and is one of three players with double digit steals (15) in that time frame.
3. The Road to March … Literally
   Indiana State embarks upon a long road in the calendar year's shortest month as the Sycamores only have two home games (over one weekend) in the month of February. Five of ISU's seven games will be away from Hulman Center in a stretch reminiscent of the start of the season when the Trees opened the year with six of their first eight games away from home.
4. Road, Sweet, Road?
   Indiana State hits the road for the final time in the regular season this weekend and maybe being away from home isn't the worst thing in the world. That is because when on the road, the Sycamores are seemingly performing at a higher level and the numbers don't lie. ISU is averaging 64.3 points per game on the road (compared to 58.2 at home) and is shooting  a full 20 points better (.387 to .367) away from Hulman Center.
5. Valley Rising
   As Vicki Hall tries to turn around the Sycamore program, she is facing a greater challenge than coaches in the past. The 2018-19 season has marked one of the highest RPI rankings the Missouri Valley Conference has recorded in several years showcasing how the Valley is becoming one of the best mid-major leagues in the country. The MVC is 13th in the RPI rankings this year, the highest ranking in recent memory.

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.