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DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Evansville women's basketball team (11-13, 6-7) starts a weekend roadtrip on Friday night when the Purple Aces play at the Drake Bulldogs. The contest will be held at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa and begin at 7:05 p.m.
 
Evansville is looking for their first road win since Jan. 18 at Southern Illinois. With 28 points, guard Sara Dickey will move into fifth place for most points in UE single season history.
 
Evansville snapped a six-game losing streak on Sunday with a 69-52 home win over Illinois State. Dickey became the 19^th played in program history to score her 1,000^th point. Forward Mallory Ladd also returned from injury to net 15 points. It was the Aces' breast cancer awareness game and survivors were honored at halftime.
 
On the stat sheet, Evansville's Dickey (19.2 points per game), Ladd (15.2) and guard Khristian Hart (10.3) are all averaging double figures. Dickey also has the most assists (62) as Hart has totaled a team-best with 39 steals for UE this year. Ladd is notching a team-high 0.9 blocks per game. Forward Sasha Robinson is securing 8.3 rebounds per game, a team-high. UE is averaging 62.7 points and 33.4 rebounds per game. The Aces make 40.5% of their field goals, 35.2% of threes, and 64.6% at the free throw line.
 
Drake (16-7, 11-1) is tied for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Bulldogs have won 12 of their last 14 games including a 87-67 victory over Northern Iowa in their last contest.
 
Statistically, Wendell paces the Bulldogs offense with 23.3 points per game and defense with a team-high 49 steals. Guard Maddy Dean (13.4), forward Becca Jonas (11.9), and guard Caitlin Ingle (11.2) are all averaging double figure points per game as well. Jonas also has a team-leading 8.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. Drake averages 77.5 points and 41.7 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs shoot 45.6% from the floor, 33.6% from beyond the arc, and 70.9% at the charity stripe.
 
Evansville is projected to finish fourth in the MVC preseason poll, their highest projection since 2008-2009. Drake was voted third in the MVC preseason poll.  Dickey and Wendell were both named to the MVC preseason team, just a season after they both were named Co-Freshman of the Year in the MVC. The Aces are guided by fourth year head coach Oties Epps as the Bulldogs are led by third year head coach Jennie Baranczyk.
 
Drake holds a 32-13 edge over UE in the all-time series. The Bulldogs won 79-62 at the Ford Center earlier this season on Jan. 25. Dickey tallied 27 points and Hart added another 16 in the game.
 
Tickets can be purchased over the phone at 812-488-ACES (2237), in person at either the Carson Center or Ford Center ticket office, or online via Ticketmaster.com.