DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team cruised to a 115-43 victory over Grand View on Wednesday night at the Knapp Center in the team's first exhibition contest.
 
Redshirt sophomore Sara Rhine (Eldon, Mo.) scored a game-high 24 points while redshirt junior Maddy Dean (Jordan, Mo.) had 21 points. Dean and Rhine made their returns after each missed all or almost all of last season.
 
Joining Dean and Rhine in double figures was sophomore Becca Hittner (Urbandale, Iowa) with 13 points, senior Paige Greiner (Williamsburg, Iowa) with 12 points and junior Sammie Bachrodt (Wichita, Kan.) with 10 points. Junior Nicole Miller (Walker, Iowa) just missed double digits with nine points. Freshman Katie Van Scyoc (Markesan, Wis.) led the newcomers with eight points.
 
As a team, Drake shot 58.2 percent (39-of-67) from the floor and handed out 32 assists. Bachrodt dished out a game-high seven assists and freshman Maddie Monahan (Silver Lake, Minn.) had six assists to go with five points. The Bulldogs connected on 13-of-31 three-pointers (41.9 percent) led by Greiner's four. Drake made 24-of-32 free throws (75.0 percent).
 
Drake closes the preseason against Truman State on Sunday. Tipoff at the Knapp Center is scheduled for 2 p.m. The Bulldogs open the season against Milwaukee in the first round of the preseason WNIT on Friday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Knapp Center.