MVC Women's Basketball WEEKLY NOTEBOOK - JAN. 16, 2024

MVC WBB Media Guide
MVC Notebook (PDF)
MVC Composite Schedule
MVC Stats
Non-Conference: 58-63 • Home: 35-18 • Away: 16-37 • Neutral: 7-8 • Top-25: 0-9

Four league women’s basketball teams started 4-0 in league play - it’s the first time in league history that four teams remained perfect through their first four league contests. Belmont (5-0), Drake (5-0), and Murray State (5-0) are still unbeaten in Valley play. Murray State has won eleven-straight games. The streak is tied for fourth-best in the NCAA (through games of Jan. 15).

Quick Starts Crucial - Since 1982-83, just three teams (Missouri State, champions in 1998-99, 1994-95 and 1990-91; Drake, champions in 1996-97 and co-champions in 1987-88; and Evansville, a 2007-08 co-champion) have won at least a share of the regular season title without winning its regular-season opener. In fact, 18 of the last 24 regular-season champs (or co-champs) have opened 2-0 or better in MVC play, with Evansville in 2007-08, Illinois State in 2022-23, Missouri State in 2004-05 and 2011-12 and UNI in 2010-11 and 2015-16, serving as the only six exceptions.

MVC in the Non-Con - The Valley finished the non-conference portion of the schedule at 58-63, which included four wins over Power Five programs. Belmont was dominant, beating Georgia 76-50, Drake handled Iowa State 85-73, Belmont beat Northwestern 83-61, and Missouri State beat BYU 56-55.

In the NET - Drake (63) leads five MVC teams that rank in the Top 127 of the NCAA NET rankings (through games of Jan. 15). Belmont (70) and Murray State (86) also represent the Conference in the Top 100. UNI has played the league’s toughest non-conference slate as the Panthers’ non-conference SOS ranks No. 5 nationally. Three other league teams have played Top 70 non-league slates: Belmont (44 non-conference SOS); Drake (57), and Illinois State (69). Murray State’s 10-2 start has been forged with against an admirable SOS of 125.

Mid-Major Top 25 -Drake and Belmont continue to appear in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 (Jan.11). Belmont sits No. 10 in this week’s poll, while Drake at 11, and Missouri State (64) and Murray State (4) are also receiving votes this week.

NCAA Leaders

Updated NCAA Stats
Murray State leads the MVC and nation in scoring (92.3 PPG). The Racers pass LSU (90 PPG) and Iowa at (90.6 PPG). The MVC single-season record was established in 1994-95 by Drake (83.5).
The Valley has three teams ranking among the top 50 nationally in assists per game. Drake currently leads The Valley and ranks 10th nationally, averaging 19.6 assists per contest.
Murray State continues to lead the nation in scoring from its bench, averaging 41.6 points from its non-starters. Four MVC teams rank in the Top 75.
Drake leads the league and ranks 7th nationally in field goal percentage, connecting on 49.8 percent of its shots from the floor. Five league teams rank among the Top 100 nationally. Drake also leads the league (and ranks 4th nationally) in free throw percentage (81.1). UNI’s Maya McDermott is second in the NCAA in FT percentage (94.29).

HerHOOPSTATS.COM STat of the week

According to HerHoopStats.com’s Calvin Wetzel (@cwetzel31), Katie Dinnebier of Drake is the only player in the country averaging at least 19 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals per game.

Katie Dinnebier of Drake leads a quartet of double-digit Bulldog scorers with 19.1 points per game (1st in MVC). She has been one of the most prolific players in the entire country with a 90.0 free throw percentage (3rd in MVC), 6.3 assists per game (1st in MVC), and 2.94 steals per contest (1st in MVC). Her 14 assists against UIC were the most in the MVC since December 2017 and the most in a league game since Caitlin Ingle of Drake had 15 at Missouri State on Jan. 1, 2017.

MVC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Wilson averaged 20.0 points and 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks leading Illinois State to wins over Southern Illinois and Missouri State last week. She scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Redbirds handed Missouri State its first MVC loss of the season and snapped their 7-game win streak Sunday. She hit a career-high 14 free throws, going 14-for-16 from the line in the win. The performance tied her career-high in scoring, which she has done twice in MVC play, and was her fourth double-double of the season. It was also her fourth 20-plus point game this season. The double-double was the 22nd of her Redbird career, which moved her into sole possession of fourth place in program history for career double-doubles. To open the week, Wilson put up 14 points and 7 rebounds in a dominating win over the Salukis. She has scored in double figures in six of Illinois State’s last seven games, with four of those performances being 15-plus point efforts. Since the start of Valley play, Wilson is averaging 17.0 points (3rd in the MVC) and 6.6 rebounds (7th in MVC) per game.
Learn averaged 11 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this past week. She made nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks in win against Indiana State. 14 points, eight rebounds and a block against Evansville.
Freshman guard Jailyn Banks continued her sensational start to her collegiate career over the weekend, averaging 11.0 points, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in Belmont’s two road triumphs in Indiana. Her remarkable play Sunday afternoon in Terre Haute, Indiana, quite literally won the game for the Bruins. With 13 seconds remaining and Indiana State inbounding the ball up 56-55, Banks stripped the ball away from the Sycamores near mid-court and raced towards the rim where she finished through an intentional foul. Belmont made both free throws on the intentional foul to complete the four-point play and the Bruins escaped with a 61-56 victory. Banks finished with eight points, four boards, three assists and a career-high three steals at Indiana State. In Belmont’s throttling of Evansville Friday, Banks scored 14 points and dished out a career-best six assists. She added a pair of rebounds and a steal against the Purple Aces.

Belmont Bruins

  • Belmont is on its second five-game winning streak of the season (Nov. 24-Dec. 17). The Bruins have put together at least a five-game winning streak in 12-straight seasons dating back 2012-13.
  • Belmont has given up no more than 61 points in its five MVC wins.
  • The Bruins, who lead the Valley in both scoring defense (59.8 PPG) and field goal percentage defense (38.1 percent), have held 11 of their 16 opponents this season under 65 points and kept eight teams under 60 points.
  • La Chapell has scored in double figures in three of her five games donning the Belmont jersey. Cheesman has reached double-figure scoring in three consecutive outings.

RESCHEDULE UPDATE

The Conference has also announced the Murray State-Belmont women's basketball contest from Nashville, Tenn., has been selected as a featured MVC Game of the Week and will air on the MVC TV Network [ESPN+, Bally Sports Midwest; Bally Sports Indiana Extra; Bally Sports Kansas City; Bally Sports South (GA / NC / SC / TN / Huntsville main channel - no KY main or plus clearance due to professional content) & NBC Sports Chicago]. The game moves from Saturday, Feb. 3, to Friday, Feb. 2, and air time is at 6 p.m. CT. Additionally, the Drake-UNI women's basketball contest scheduled for Friday, Feb. 2, has been moved to Saturday, Feb. 3. The contest, played in Cedar Falls, Iowa, will air on ESPN+ and tip time will be announced at a later time.

BEL WBB Website

BRADLEY Braves

  • The Braves saw their first Valley win of the season against Southern Illinois (58-56) at home on Saturday. The Braves also saw a loss to Missouri State on Thursday (94-66).
  • This was a defensive game without question, as the Braves held Southern Illinois to 37.3% from the field, with only 21.4 from three, shooting 9-12 from the free throw line. Entering the fourth quarter, Bradley held Southern Illinois to only 1-12 from the three-point arc. Junior Nika Dorsey not only was tied for Bradley's leader in points, scoring 11, but was the assist leader, dishing out seven. This was Dorsey's career high in assists.
  • Against the LadyBears Bradley was led by Freshman Halli Poock. Poock led the Braves in points, scoring 18, as well as leading the team in assists with six. Poock added to her night with two rebounds. All the Braves were aggressive in the paint, with 11 different players grabbing at least one rebound and scoring 20 points in the paint. The Braves had a strong game from the arc, shooting 10-19 from the three-point line, making 52.6%. Sophomore Reagan Barkema, Junior Nika Dorsey and Poock all made three from the arc, with only one additional three-pointer made for Bradley.
BRAD WBB Website

DRAKE Bulldogs

  • The Bulldogs took care of business on the road over the weekend, sweeping Valparaiso and UIC in a pair of double-digit victories. The Bulldogs started the trip with an 83-54 demolition of the Beacons (1/12) behind 26 points from Katie Dinnebier and a double-double from Anna Miller. Drake then made the short trek to the Windy City for an 82-62 victory over UIC (1/14) as Dinnebier and Miller both recorded double-doubles. The two wins extended the Bulldogs’ winning streak to six games, matching the longest winning stretch during the tenure of Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman. Drake will return home this weekend for their annual DSM Hometown Team Weekend as Murray State and Belmont will come to town.

RESCHEDULE UPDATE

The Drake-UNI women's basketball contest scheduled for Friday, Feb. 2, has been moved to Saturday, Feb. 3. The contest, played in Cedar Falls, Iowa, will air on ESPN+ and tip time will be announced at a later time.

Drake WBB Website

EVANSVILLE Purple Aces

The Aces saw two losses at home against top Valley Opponents Murray State and Belmont.

  • Against the Bruins, local EVPL students were hosted at the Ford Center in an 84-40 loss to the Belmont Bruins. The Purple Aces had a ruckus crowd of over 1,000 elementary and middle school children for their Education Day game as they hosted the Bruins in the Ford Center. Guard Kynidi Mason Striverson led UE on offense with 11 points, two assists, and two steals. In her return to the court after two months away due to injury, freshman forward Nevaeh Thomas put up 10 points and a steal in only 11 minutes of action. "I'm so grateful for our community coming out today," said Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells following the game. "It's my favorite game of the year because it's awesome for our players to have a chance to play in front of these kids and the community. I certainly wished we had played better and given a much better performance than what happened out there. It's still special to see those kids out there.
  • The Aces saw a 90-72 loss against the Murray State Racers. The Purple Aces had their best offensive game of Missouri Valley Conference play facing the Racers by shooting 45.5% from the floor and 50% from behind the arc. Along with a strong offensive front, UE's defense kept Murray State six percent below its season-scoring percentage. Four separate Evansville players had double-digit games including guards Kynidi Mason Striverson, Alana Striverson, and post players Barbora Tomancova and Nevaeh Thomas.
UE WBB Website

UIC Flames

  • The Flames found themselves with a one-loss against Drake (82-62) after postponing their matchup against Northern Iowa on Friday.
  • Middleton's 24-point performance is a new career high for the senior, surpassing her 16 points on two previous occasions — most recently in the Dec. 20 win against UTEP at the West Palm Beach Classic, as well as last year against Indiana State (Jan. 5, 2023).
  • Williams' 15-point performance extends her streak of scoring in double digits to nine games. She has scored in double digits in 12 games this season.
  • UIC recorded 12 steals in the game, a season high for the Flames against any Missouri Valley Conference opponent. It is also the seventh game this season UIC has posted double-digit steals.
  • Going 19-for-24 from the free throw line, the Flames posted a season-high .792 free-throw percentage against the Bulldogs.

RESCHEDULE UPDATE

The previously postponed contest featuring UNI vs. UIC in Chicago, Ill., has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31. The 6 p.m. CT game will air on ESPN+. The Conference has also announced the Murray State-Belmont women's basketball contest from Nashville, Tenn., has been selected as a featured MVC Game of the Week and will air on the MVC TV Network [ESPN+, Bally Sports Midwest; Bally Sports Indiana Extra; Bally Sports Kansas City; Bally Sports South (GA / NC / SC / TN / Huntsville main channel - no KY main or plus clearance due to professional content) & NBC Sports Chicago]. The game moves from Saturday, Feb. 3, to Friday, Feb. 2, and air time is at 6 p.m. CT. Additionally, the Drake-UNI women's basketball contest scheduled for Friday, Feb. 2, has been moved to Saturday, Feb. 3. The contest, played in Cedar Falls, Iowa, will air on ESPN+ and tip time will be announced at a later time.

UIC WBB Website

ILLINOIS STATE Redbirds

  • The Redbirds saw two home wins this weekend against Southern Illinois on Wednesday (76-43) and Missouri State on Sunday (85-78).
  • Against the Salukis Illinois State won its 14-straight game over an in-state foe. The Redbirds are 5-0 this year and 11-0 over the last two seasons against Land-of-Lincoln foes. Illinois State improved to 32-8 against in-state foes and 19-2 vs in-state foes inside CEFCU Arena since the start of the 2019-2020 campaign. Illinois State won its fourth straight over the Salukis and improved to 66-46 all-time against Southern Illinois. Freshman Shannon Dowell made her first collegiate start in Wednesday's win, scoring 8 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. The Redbirds nearly grabbed 60 rebounds for the second time this year, finishing just shy with 59 boards. It was the third time this season Illinois State grabbed 50-plus rebounds. Tonight's performance ranks behind only a performance of 63 rebounds Nov. 30 vs Chicago State this season. The Redbirds held Southern Illinois to 20 first-half points. It was the second time this season Illinois State has limited an opponent to 20 points or fewer in a single half, joining an 18-point defensive effort at Saint Mary's Nov.25. McGowan tallied her fourth game this season in double figures and her first since putting up 12 points against Chicago State Nov. 30.
  • Against the LadyBears, the Redbirds finished with two 20-plus point scorers for the second time this season and the first time since Nov. 15, when Wilson scored 23 points and Caroline Waite tallied 20 points against SIUE. It was the third time this season Wilson and Bullman have finished with a double-double in the same game, joining efforts against Chicago State Nov. 30 and Saint Louis Dec. 19. Wilson finished with her 22nd career double-double, surpassing former Redbird and current UIC head coach Ashleen Bracey for 4th all-time on the program career double-doubles list.
ISU WBB Website

INDIANA STATE Sycamores

  • No Fly Zone
  • Indiana State’s 3-point defense has been on a new level since the start of conference play, with MVC foes struggling behind the arc against the Sycamores. Through the first five games of the conference schedule, Indiana State’s opponents have made just 23 of their 104 3-point attempts, equating to a 22.1 percent mark from distance. The Sycamores are currently the only team in the MVC to hold conference opponents below 24 percent from 3-point range, with three of Indiana State’s first five conference foes shooting below 20 percent on 3-point attempts.
  • Milestone Moments
  • A pair of Indiana State players reached career milestones during the Sycamores’ most recent homestand, as Mya Glanton reached the 500-rebound mark for her career and Chelsea Cain scored her 500th point at Indiana State. Glanton became the 22nd player in program history to reach 500 rebounds for her career, and pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds last week against Murray State. Cain’s 500 points at Indiana State came in 44 games, with the senior forward scoring in double-figures in 26 games with the Blue and White.
ISU WBB Website

MISSOURI STATE Bears

  • Missouri State returns home this week and puts its 10-game home win streak on the line, which dates back to last season. This season at home, the Lady Bears own an 8-0 record and are holding opponents to 57.9 points and 28.8 rebounds per game. MSU is also forcing 19.6 turnovers per game and is limiting its opponents to just 29% from behind the arc in Springfield.
  • Point guard Lacy Stokes ranks 17th nationally and second in the MVC with a 2.73 assist-to-turnover ratio this season. In MVC games, Stokes’ assist-to-turnover ratio jumps to an impressive 6.8 (27-4) to lead the conference through five games. This past weekend on the road at Illinois State and Bradley, Stokes dished out 14 assists to just one turnover.
  • In the Beth Cunningham era, the Lady Bears are 18-2 when scoring 70+ points. Under Cunningham, Missouri State is 22-0 when allowing 65 points or less and 29-3 when holding opponents to 70 points or less.
MSU WBB Website

Murray State Racers

  • The Racers move back up to first in the nation in points per game with 92.3 ahead of LSU’s 92.0.The Murray State Women's Basketball Team grabs their fourth Missouri Valley Conference win with a 75-63 victory over Indiana State, Thursday. They extend their winning streak to 10 and remain the winningest team in the league with a 11-2 record (4-0 MVC Record).
  • The Racers had a blazing first quarter as when they outscore the Sycamores 26-9. After two back and forth quarters in the second and third, the Racers were able to clinch the game in a tight 24-22 fourth quarter.
  • The Murray State women's basketball team extends their winning streak to 11 with a 90-72 win over Evansville, Sunday. They are now 5-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play and are 12-2 through the season.
  • The Racers kept up with the trend as they scored 25 points in the first quarter to the Purple Aces' 19. After close second and third quarters the Racers were able to clinch the game with a 30-17 final quarter.The Racers tied program's all-time longest winning streak (2008-09) with 11 consecutive wins. The 2008-09 team won the Ohio Valley Conference Championship under Rob Cross.

RESCHEDULE UPDATE

The 6 p.m. CT game will air on ESPN+. The Conference has also announced the Murray State-Belmont women's basketball contest from Nashville, Tenn., has been selected as a featured MVC Game of the Week and will air on the MVC TV Network [ESPN+, Bally Sports Midwest; Bally Sports Indiana Extra; Bally Sports Kansas City; Bally Sports South (GA / NC / SC / TN / Huntsville main channel - no KY main or plus clearance due to professional content) & NBC Sports Chicago].

MSU WBB Website

UNI Panthers

  • Guard Maya McDermott remains perfect from the free throw line in conference play and has shot 94.3% from the line this season (33-of-35). That mark is the best in the conference and second-best in the nation behind a 94.4% top mark.
  • In her first game off injury, Grace Boffelli led the Panther offense with 16 points. She added seven rebounds and is now just eight rebounds away from breaking into the Panthers' top-10 all-time rebounding numbers.
  • Maya McDermott is just 29 points away from being the 27th Panther in the 1,000-point club and the 10th in the Tanya Warren era.

RESCHEDULE UPDATE

  • The previously postponed contest featuring UNI vs. UIC in Chicago, Ill., has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 31. The 6 p.m. CT game will air on ESPN+. The Conference has also announced the Murray State-Belmont women's basketball contest from Nashville, Tenn., has been selected as a featured MVC Game of the Week and will air on the MVC TV Network [ESPN+, Bally Sports Midwest; Bally Sports Indiana Extra; Bally Sports Kansas City; Bally Sports South (GA / NC / SC / TN / Huntsville main channel - no KY main or plus clearance due to professional content) & NBC Sports Chicago]. The game moves from Saturday, Feb. 3, to Friday, Feb. 2, and air time is at 6 p.m. CT. Additionally, the Drake-UNI women's basketball contest scheduled for Friday, Feb. 2, has been moved to Saturday, Feb. 3. The contest, played in Cedar Falls, Iowa, will air on ESPN+ and tip time will be announced at a later time.
UNI WBB Website

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Salukis

  • Laniah Randle continued her strong season this past week at Illinois State and Bradley. Randle averaged 16.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and had two steals and two blocks during the week. The junior forward posted 25 points on Saturday, her seventh 20-point game this season. Randle is third in the league in both scoring (17.3) and rebounding (8.3) entering SIU's upcoming two-game homestand.
SIU WBB Website

VALPARAISO Beacons

  • Valpo tallied double figures in steals for the seventh time this season when it recorded 11 steals on Sunday against UNI, forcing the Panthers into a season-high 21 turnovers. The Beacons are averaging 10.6 steals/game this season and are on pace to rack up 319 steals for the year, which would be the program's highest single-season total since 2001-02.
  • The Beacons enjoyed one of their best 3-point shooting games of the season on Friday versus Drake, knocking down 11 triples. The 11 makes from deep matched Valpo's season high, previously accomplished against Chicago State. Eight different Valpo players combined for the 11 3-pointers.
VALPO WBB Website