Drury gets its first public look at the 2026-27 women’s basketball team Tuesday, hosting Ottawa in an exhibition that won’t affect either team’s record. The Lady Panthers return 10 players—including all five starters—from a 21-win team, while seven newcomers join the roster. The game is Drury’s only public preseason exhibition before its regular-season opener Nov. 13.

By the Numbers
  • Drury returns 81% of last season’s minutes and 85% of its scoring.
  • Sara Mendel averaged 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, shooting 67.1% from the field.
  • Ottawa is 2-1 and averaging 76.7 points per game; McKinley Kruger leads the team at 20.7 points per game.
  • Drury was picked to finish third in the GLVC preseason coaches’ poll.
Yes, But

Ottawa has already played three games this season, while Tuesday is a preseason tune-up for both teams. The exhibition offers Drury a first-game opportunity to test its returning core and newcomers, but the result won’t count toward either team’s record.

What’s Next

Drury opens the regular season against Fort Hays State on Nov. 13 at 5:45 p.m. in the GLVC/MIAA Crossover.

Bottom Line

Drury’s strength is continuity: the Panthers bring back their starting five and most of last year’s production, giving them a chance to sharpen their chemistry before the games start counting.