NORMAL — The Illinois State women’s basketball team’s defense has been the best in the Missouri Valley Conference this season.
The Redbirds lead the MVC in giving up just 53.8 points per game and allowing opponents a shooting percentage of 34.1. Both rank sixth nationally.
Perhaps the stiffest test to those standards all season arrives at Redbird Arena on Friday as Drake visits for a 7 p.m. Valley game.
The Bulldogs have won a league-record 29 straight conference games and stand at 12-7 overall and 7-0 in the MVC.
“They are the benchmark in the Missouri Valley right now,” ISU coach Kristen Gillespie said.