What Did We Learn?

Conference Openers for Valley Women

(St. Louis, MO) – Conference openers for Valley women included drama and a peak at what the league favorites bring to the table. Four of six home teams won their games and five of the teams that entering the openers with winning non-conference records were victorious in their Missouri Valley openers.

High scoring Murray State (8-2) and defending co-champions Belmont (8-4) and Illinois State (8-3) were winners along with Drake, Indiana State and Missouri State. Murray topped the 90-point mark for the seventh time this season during its 90-62 win over Valparaiso. Belmont and Illinois State secured narrow home court victories.

Drake and Indiana State were big road winners and Missouri State won a buzzer-beating contest over preseason favorite Northern Iowa.

What Did We Learn – League Leaders

Murray State is so offensively talented that even when the Valley’s leading scorer is held to 12 points, four other Racers reached double figures as the Racers won their seventh straight game. Katelyn Young’s scoring average fell behind Drake’s Katie Kinnebier in the scoring race (19.8 to 19.3 ppg), the team remains second to LSU in the national scoring race (95.1 to 93.8 ppg). Murray’s bench is the highest scoring group of reserves in the nation (42.6 per game) and contributed 47 during that opening weekend win.

Illinois State is still very good without Paige Robinson. Life after the WNBA draft pick is going just fine for the Redbirds. After their ‘War on 74’ win over Bradley, Illinois State (8-3) is the league’s top rebounding team (8.1 margin) and top three point shooting team (.389).

Belmont’s stout defense continues to lead the Bruins to a prominent place in the Valley. The Bruins lead the MVC in scoring defense (63.5 ppg) and they allowed just 61 points to Illinois Chicago during their opening win. Belmont shuts down the three-point line allowing just a .277 success rate to their opponents.

What Did We Learn – Star Power

Drake’s star players continue shine. Katie Dinnebier (19.8 ppg) and Grace Berg (17.1) are two of the Valley’s top three scorers and Dinnebier turns the rare feat of also leading the league in assists (5.3 per game) and steals (2.7 per game). During the Bulldogs’ win at Southern Illinois Dinnebier scored 26 points and handed out seven assists. Berg added 25 points and seven boards.

Drake is the Valley’s top shooting team from the field (.495) and from the charity stripe (.801).

What Did We Learn – Valley Games are Thrilling

Missouri State and preseason favorite Northern Iowa played the most exciting game of opening day. The 1-9 Panthers have played a murderous schedule and have been racked with injuries. During their visit to Springfield, Missouri the Panthers demonstrated they can still be one of the Valley’s top teams.

They led throughout the game only to see the Bears respond. Trailing by two points with eleven seconds left the Panthers tied the game at 52 on a basket by star guard Maya McDermott (19 points). After a timeout, Bears’ coach Beth Cunningham ran a play for guard Lacy Stokes. The D2 transfer struggled all game long, but the Mount Vernon, Missouri native hit the game winner.

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MISSOURI STATE WITH THE GAME-WINNING BUZZER BEATER 🚨🚨#NCAAWBB x 🎥 ESPN+ / @MSULadyBears pic.twitter.com/KMNegtWmL1

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) December 30, 2023

The first showdown between Belmont and Illinois State happens this Thursday in Nashville.

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Editor: Cover photo courtesy of godrakes.com.