DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women’s basketball team led wire-to-wire in an 82-62 victory over Valparaiso at the Knapp Center to clinch at least a share of the 2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference regular season title on Saturday afternoon. Seniors Grace Berg, Anna Brown and Taylor McAulay were recognized in a postgame Senior Day ceremony before the Bulldogs cut down the nets to celebrate their 10th all-time MVC regular season championship.

All five Bulldog starters scored in double figures highlighted by a double-double (12 points, 10 rebounds) from Anna Miller. Berg and Courtney Becker each added a team-high 14 points while McAulay contributed 10 points knocking down a pair of triples. Katie Dinnebier dished out seven assists and put up 11 points.

Valparaiso (5-22, 4-14) stayed within an arm’s length early on. The Beacons trailed by a bucket at 13-11 before Shannon Fornshell drilled a trifecta in the final minute of the opening quarter. Drake (24-5, 17-1) led 17-11 after one frame.

The Bulldogs failed to extend their lead to double digits in the second quarter as the Beacons hung around thanks to Leah Earnest inside and Olivia Brown from the perimeter. Dinnebier scored Drake’s last five points of the first half, first off a driving layup followed by a three-pointer in the waning seconds before halftime. The two teams entered the locker room with the host Bulldogs controlling a 36-28 lead at the break.

Drake began to pull away in the third quarter. About halfway through the third stanza, Berg’s putback fell as she drew a foul for a 48-36 edge. Berg muscled down low near the end of the period to push the margin to 62-47 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Beacons’ deficit ballooned to 20 points at the 4:37 mark of the fourth quarter when Courtney Becker took advantage of a Valpo turnover for a layup on the other end, ahead 76-56.

A balanced effort keyed an 82-62 victory for Drake and the celebration was on. Drake was able to empty their bench and applaud all three seniors in a well-earned home finale victory.

“It’s a really, really special thing to pay tribute to our fans and to be conference champions,” Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman said. “This team is special. What’s unique about this group is that they’re really committed to staying in the moment. We’re excited about our journey and will celebrate today, but we’ve got two more regular season games and an important trip to Hoops in the Heartland, so we’ve got to refocus and take care of business.”

Drake women’s basketball will enter the final week of the regular season with a visit to Evansville on Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m.

Drake finished the regular season unbeaten at home. Tucker DeVries scored 29 points and the Bulldogs withstood a second half rally by Bradley for a 74-66 win, Sunday. Drake is 25-6.

That’s Bulldog coach Darian DeVries. It was Drake’s 21st straight home win. They will be the second seed in the Missouri Valley Tournament in St Louis and open Friday night.

Another record setting day ended with a victory for the sixth ranked Iowa Hawkeye women, Sunday.

Rob Brooks with the call on the Hawkeye Network. Clark finished with 35 points and nine assists as the Hawkeyes led nearly the entire way in a 93-83 win over second ranked and Big Ten regular season champion Ohio State, capping an emotional Senior Day.

Clark surpassed Pete Maravich to become the all-time scoring leader in major college basketball with a free throw just prior to halftime.

It was a regular season finale that included another national television audience, a sold out crowd and several celebrities sitting courtside.

The Hawkeyes finish the regular season 15-3 in the Big Ten and 26-4 overall. Iowa will be second seed in the Big Ten Tournament in the Twin Cities and will open on Friday night.

It will not be the final home game for the Hawkeyes who are expected to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes could meet again next weekend.

That’s Iowa coach Lisa Bluder who feels Clark becoming the all-time women’s scoring record holder was more significant.