By: Wichita State
Des Moines, Iowa - Jessica Diamond scored a season-high 21
points and the Wichita State University women's basketball team won at the
Knapp Center in Des Moines for the first time since 2002, 66-57 Thursday
night.
The Shockers ripped off a 24-4 run to begin the game, using
a swarming full-court press to score 22 of those points off turnovers. The lead rested at 37-17 by halftime as the
Shockers held Drake to eight field goals and 17 turnovers. WSU shot 55.2% from the floor while often
scoring in transition.
Drake recovered soon after the break, depending on its own
defense upon switching to a zone. The
Shockers endured an 11-0 Bulldog run during which WSU went scoreless for
over four-and-one-half minutes, cutting
the Shocker lead to 43-33.
From there, the MVC's leading scorer Kristin Turk paired
with forward Rachael Hackbarth to whittle the Wichita State advantage to 61-57
with under a minute to play. Diamond
responded with her only two free throws of the night and a Haleigh Lankster breakaway
layup with five seconds left sealed the Shocker victory.
Lankster finished with 12 points and a game-high four
steals. Diamond collected her 21 on
8-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 night from three-point
range. Michelle Price paced the team
with nine rebounds.
The victory moved Wichita State to 10-9 overall and 4-4 in
the Valley while Drake fell to 9-10 and 3-5.
It was WSU's first road win in MVC play this season.
The last Shocker victory in Des Moines came Jan. 6, 2002,
80-78. It is also the second straight
win for WSU over Drake, the first time that has happened since Feb. 23 and Dec.
31, 1996.
Turk led the Bulldogs with 20 points, eight rebounds, and
five assists. Hackbarth added 10 points
and seven rebounds.
Wichita State shot 49.1% from the floor and scored 27 points
off turnovers.
The Shockers return to the road Saturday with a 6:05 p.m.
tipoff at Creighton.