Watch now: Illinois State women's basketball holds off Drake surge for victory

Pantagraph | February 20, 2021

Illinois State's Lexy Koudelka (5) battles Drake's Mya Mertz for the basketball in first half action Friday at Redbird Arena.

Illinois State's Mary Crompton drives into the lane against the defense of Drake's Maggie Bair on Friday at Redbird Arena.

NORMAL — The third quarter was a high-speed ride with a pleasant breeze blowing in the face of the Illinois State women’s basketball team.

The fourth quarter was a white-knuckle adventure down a snowy, slippery highway.

Yet after seeing Drake shrink a 16-point ISU advantage to four, the Redbirds brought home a 76-68 Missouri Valley Conference on Friday at Redbird Arena on Play4Kay Day.