Peoria, Ill. – Bradley Women's Basketball looks to start the home season with 10 straight wins for the first time since 2019-20, as they take on the Drake Bulldogs on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Game Information
Matchup: Bradley Braves vs. Drake Bulldogs
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Stats: Link
What to Watch
Bradley enters this matchup with a 13-7 record (6-3 MVC) and has been unstoppable at home this season, posting a 9-0 home record. At home this season, the Braves have outscored opponents by an average of 23 points per game, outrebounded them by 5.8 per game, and forced 3.4 more opponent turnovers than they commit. The team's best quarter at home has been the second quarter, during which they have outscored opponents 166-93. On the season, Bradley ranks sixth in the NCAA in three-point defense, holding opponents to a .244 three-point percentage. The Braves also lead the MVC in three-point percentage at .343.
The Bulldogs have gone 2-1 since their last meeting with the Braves earlier this season. However, Drake is coming off a heartbreaking one-point loss to Murray State that saw the Racers score 28 points in the final 10 minutes, including a jumper with two seconds left that sealed the win. The Bulldogs rank fifth in the conference in points scored at 71.1 per game and ninth in scoring defense, allowing 77.6 points per game. The Bulldogs have been strong on the glass, ranking third in the conference in rebounds per game (39.9), and lead the conference in assists at 18.47 per game. The last time these two teams met, Bradley took home the win, 71-64.
Key Players to Watch
The last time the Braves and Bulldogs faced off against each other, Ellie McDermid led the way, recording her fourth collegiate double-double and her first of the season. She finished the day with 14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and one block. Kaylen Nelson has been on fire, scoring at least 15 points in each of her last eight games while grabbing at least five rebounds in her last four. She has been the best three-point shooter in the conference, leading the MVC in three-pointers made per game and three-point percentage. Maya Foz has also been on a hot streak, collecting her sixth MVC Freshman of the Week award last week after she averaged 19.5 points and shot .538 from the field. She currently ranks ninth in the MVC in scoring, averaging 14.6 points per game, and 10th in steals, averaging 1.6 per game.
The Bulldogs are led by Abbie Aaslama, who ranks eighth in the conference with 16.3 points per game while adding 3.2 rebounds per game, ranking second on the team in assists with 51 and leading the team in steals with 23. Grace Knutson has also been a strong contributor for Drake, averaging 10.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting .426 from beyond the arc. Anna Becker is having a strong freshman campaign, averaging 10.1 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game while adding 34 assists, 12 steals, and nine blocks. Maggie Taylor has been a key defensive player for Drake, leading the team and ranking eighth in the conference in rebounds with 7.2 per game and averaging 9.8 points per game while totaling 39 assists, 12 blocks, and nine steals.
