Tommy Birch

tbirch@dmreg.com

AMES, Ia. — With a win over Iowa State last season, the Drake women’s basketball team ended a losing streak against the Cyclones and may have revitalized a rivalry that had died down.

The next chapter of the series will be written at 6 p.m. Sunday when Drake and Iowa State tangle at Hilton Coliseum.

“I think a few years ago, we weren’t a good tournament resume for Iowa State,” said Drake coach Jennie Baranczyk. “Now we can be a good win or they could be a good win.”

The two teams have a storied history against each other. Iowa State leads the all-time series, 28-27, and up until last season, had complete control.

Iowa State entered last season’s game having won 10 of the last 11 in the series. The Cyclones were even riding their second five-game winning streak in that span.

Their most recent winning streak over the Bulldogs came to a close when Drake slipped by Iowa State with a 74-70 victory at the Knapp Center on Nov. 15, 2015, the first win for the Bulldogs over their in-state rival since 2009.

Drake’s victory built momentum for the season and showed that the Bulldogs could compete with one of the most respected programs in Iowa.

That game was also a preview for the remainder of the season for the two teams. Drake would finish the season with 23 wins — the most for the program since 2007-08. Iowa State would finish the season with just 13 wins and miss out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.

“Last year we had a great home game against them and got the win and it just kind of set the tone for our season,” said Drake’s Lizzy Wendell. “It was a big game.”

This one could be as good as any, with star players guiding the way for both teams. ISU’s Seanna Johnson was a preseason All-Big 12 pick by the coaches. She’s averaging 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this year.

“She’s so versatile,” Baranczyk said. “She’s so good. She’s strong. She scores in a variety of ways. But her rebounding is just a knack and a skillset that not many people do. That’s why she’s All-Big 12 and everything else. We’re definitely a fan hopefully not a big fan on Sunday."

Wendell paces Drake’s high-scoring, up-tempo offense, which was picked by the coaches to finish first in the Missouri Valley Conference. Wendell, the league’s Preseason Player of the Year, is averaging 26.5 points and eight rebounds per game.

“Lizzy is as good an offensive player as we’ll see all year — Big 12 or otherwise,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly.

The next challenge for Drake: Winning two in a row over the Cyclones. The last time that happened? 2002-03.

It won’t be easy, though. Iowa State already owns a win against one in-state opponent this season, coming off a thrilling 76-68 victory over Northern Iowa.

Sunday’s game could have just as much excitement.

“It’s one of those games that you get the emotion and the effort that it needs — like a conference game or a postseason game,” Fennelly said.