March 18, 2024

Drake women’s basketball is having season to remember

Drake’s Bulldogs (20-4) have won 14 straight games. The Bulldog women are off to the best start in Missouri Valley Conference history, winning their first 13 league games. Until this season, the best start for any team in the conference was 12 straight victories, accomplished three times.

Buoyed by that strong start, they are back in the AP women’s basketball poll for the first time since 2001 — entering the poll at No. 25 on Monday.

“It’s been a long time. Drake is a special place and this is a special team,” coach Jennie Baranczyk said. “Does it mean anything, yes, you know you got to get a lot better, the target’s a little bit bigger — especially in our league. It’s quite an honor for us and really fun for our program.”

Drake is led by senior Lizzy Wendell, who has scored in double figures in 102 consecutive games. That’s the longest streak in conference history, surpassing Jackie Stiles mark of 92 when she starred at Missouri State. Wendell’s streak is up there in the college record book, too, though still short of Jantel Lavender’s record 136 set from 2008-11 when she played at Ohio State.

The Bulldogs have five games left in the regular season, with the toughest against Northern Iowa at home on Feb. 24. The two teams played on Jan. 27 and Drake came away with an 88-79 double-overtime victory. No other conference team has come within 10 points this season.

“We have some pretty good teams at the top and that’s who we have left on our schedule,” Barancyzk said. “Lot of games we need to circle and we are being circled the same as well.”

Drake was last ranked on Dec. 3, 2001. The Bulldogs lasted one week that year. They hope for a longer run this time.

“It’s different when you’re ranked for a week or two then being a top 25 program,” the coach continued. “Something we understand and get.”