By: Wichita State
Des Moines, Iowa - Jessica Diamond poured in 22 points on
10-of-13 shooting to power the Wichita State women's basketball team past Drake,
74-56, Saturday afternoon at the Knapp Center.
With the win, the Shockers (15-7, 9-2 MVC) maintained at least a one-game
lead for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Jazimen Gordon (13) and Haleigh Lankster (12) joined Diamond
in double figures. Lankster collected
five steals and Gordon blocked two shots to help out defensively.
The Shockers hit 56.4% from the field and delivered on
4-of-8 three-point shots. The team
dished out 16 assists and turned it over only 12 times.
Drake traded the lead 10 times with the Shockers and tied it
up on four occasions in the first half. A Krystle Henderson three-pointer from the
left corner put WSU on top 24-23 at the 5:11 mark and the Shockers never looked
back.
The Shockers knocked down 11 of the last 17 shots they took
in the first half to finish at 54.8% from the field before halftime. Drake shot 46.2% but went 0-5 from
three-point range.
Next up for Wichita State is a Friday night battle at
Missouri State in a game televised regionally on the MVC Television Network.