DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team opens the Missouri Valley Conference season Friday night at the Knapp Center against league newcomer Valparaiso. Tipoff with the Crusaders is set for 7 p.m. and the MVC opener for both teams will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3.
Drake (5-7), the preseason league favorite, begins MVC action against Valparaiso (7-4) after playing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation as ranked by the NCAA at No. 27. Friday night, the Bulldogs will try to snap a three-game losing streak and avoid a four-game losing skid, which hasn't happened for the program since the 2013-14 campaign.