NORMAL, Ill. – For the second time in the last three seasons, the Indiana State Sycamores will advance to the title contest of the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference tournament by virtue of a 79-66 victory over Drake in Friday’s first semifinal contest. With the win, ISU moves to 22-7 on the season – tying a school record for wins at the school. Drake concludes it season with a 14-15 mark.

ISU found itself down at the half by one and needed to come-from-behind at the break for the fifth time this season if they were going to advance to the tournament championship. That is exactly what they did, as ISU overcame that deficit and then some en route to the victory.

One reason for the win is Ashley Clark who posted a career-best 24 points – becoming the third Sycamore starter over the last two contests to post a career-high. Stephanie Lisch and Kristen Weddle each had career-highs against Bradley in the quarterfinals.

ISU took its first lead of the game four minutes into the contest on the first of a pair of 3-pointers for Melanie Boeglin to make the score 11-10. Beginning at the 15:26 mark, Drake embarked on an 8-2 run to take the 18-15 advantage. ISU countered with an 8-0 run of its own later in the half to take a 27-21 lead, as Clark scored six of ISU’s eight points over the stretch.

Drake took its halftime lead on an inside basket by Linda Sayavongchanh with one second left in the half to put them up 32-31 at the break.

With the Bulldogs up 38-37 Clark posted two consecutive baskets and a 3-point play by freshman Laura Rudolphi put the Sycamores back on top to stay, 44-38. Rudolphi finished the contest with a career-high 11 rebounds.

ISU put together a 14-5 starting at the 16:48 mark on the strength of four Drake miscues. Clark scored eight points during the span as the Sycamores led 51-43 with 11:56 left. Lisa Verhoff drilled a 3-pointer from the baseline with 3:11 remaining and Lisch connected on a running jumper with 1:45 left to give ISU room to breath at 70-56.

ISU would hit 9 of its last 12 free throws to notch the 79-66 victory.

The Sycamores 54.0% of their shots on the evening – just four tenths of a percent behind Thursday’s season-best 54.4% effort against Bradley in the quarterfinals. ISU was also on fire from long-range as they connected on 55.6% of their 3-point attempts.

On the boards, ISU held a 34-21 advantage, which marks the seventh consecutive game in which the Sycamores have out-rebounded their opponents.

The Sycamores face Illinois State tomorrow in the conference tournament championship. Tipoff is set for just after 4:00 p.m. (EST) with live television scheduled for Fox Sports Net Midwest.