DES MOINES, Iowa – In a game full of runs by both sides, the Drake University women's basketball team bested the Creighton Bluejays, 63-53, in a defensive battle at the Knapp Center on Saturday night.
 
Sara Rhine led all scorers with 16 points, and combined with Brenni Rose and Becca Hittner, who each scored 15 points to score 46 of Drake's 63 points.
 
Drake (3-1) and Creighton (2-1) traded runs in the first quarter, starting with a 3-pointer by the Bluejays to open the scoring. The Bulldogs reeled off the next 11 points before Creighton answered with eight straight points. Drake then closed the quarter on a 9-3 run.
 
After Creighton scored the first 11 points of the second quarter, Rose netted a layup with 3:47 remaining that started an 8-0 spurt by the Bulldogs to close the half. Drake's defense clamped down to hold the Bluejays scoreless for the final 4:44, helping the Bulldogs take a 28-25 advantage into the locker room.
 
The third quarter played out similarly to the second frame as Creighton started quickly out of the gates to cut Drake's lead to 37-36. The Bulldogs again had an answer, limiting the Bluejays to one basket in the last 3:49 of the period as part of a 14-3 run that bled into the fourth quarter.
 
Rhine was key during that six-minute stretch, scoring eight of her game-best 16 points. Her presence down low played a major factor in the Bulldogs earning a 34-16 edge in points in the paint.
 
Hittner notched her first double-double of the season by scoring 15 points and snaring 11 rebounds – one off her career high.
 
The Bulldogs defense was tenacious throughout the night, holding the Bluejays to 20-of-68 (29.4 percent) shooting who made 11-of-36 (30.6 percent) from 3-point range.
 
After playing four games in the last nine days, Drake will have eight days to rest and recover before hosting Western Illinois on Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.