The Basics
Drake women's basketball is set for their toughest two-game stretch of the 2022-23 season with a pair of road games against ranked opponents. The Bulldogs will travel to Omaha, Neb. for a matchup against No. 18 Creighton on Saturday, Dec. 10. Then, after a solid break, Drake will make the short trip north for a battle with current top-10 team Iowa State on Dec. 22.
 
This Bair Doesn't Hibernate
Maggie Bair has put together an outstanding start to her senior season. The Bulldog forward is leading Drake with 16.0 ppg, the third highest in the MVC, and 7.7 rpg. Bair also ranks sixth in the country with a .687 field goal percentage.
 
Meyer on Fire
Megan Meyer, the 2021-22 MVC Newcomer of the Year and a 2022-23 Preseason All-MVC selection, added to her Bulldog accolades with last week's MVC Player of the Week honor. She is averaging 13.7 ppg, the second-most on the team. Meyer is currently tied for 44th in the country with an average of 2.71 made three-pointers per game and is shooting deep balls at a solid 34.5% clip and has made multiple threes in six of the Bulldogs' seven games.
 
Miller Time
Forward Anna Miller's 20 blocks lead both Drake and the MVC and are tied for 16th in Division I. She is averaging 2.9 blocks per game, the 10th-highest average in the country.
 
Sophomore Star
Guard Katie Dinnebier has had a solid second season. The sophomore is scoring 13.5 points per game and ranks fourth in The Valley with an average of 4.4 assists per contest.
 
Pohlman's Pride
Last season, on Nov. 10, Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman picked up her first win at the helm of the Bulldog program in a thrilling 82-79 victory over Creighton in the Knapp Center.
 
Bluejay Boom
Creighton experienced the season of a lifetime last year with a magical postseason run. After coming up just short in the Big East Tournament, the Bluejays rattled off wins against Colorado, two-seed Iowa in Iowa City, and a top-1- Iowa State squad before falling to eventual national champion South Carolina.
 
Ranked Road Ahead
The Bulldogs' non-conference schedule doesn't get any easier as Drake is set for another road test at No. 10 Iowa State in on Dec. 22.
 
Prior to this season's earlier triumph over No. 22 Nebraska, the Bulldogs' last victory against a nationally ranked team was a 90-85 overtime win against then No. 12 ranked South Carolina, Nov. 24, 2018, for third place in the Vancouver (Canada) Showcase. It was the highest win over a ranked opponent for Drake since the Bulldogs upset then No. 7 Baylor in the second round of the 2002 NCAA Tournament in Waco, Texas.
 
Scouting Creighton
Creighton enters this weekend with a 7-1 record so far this season. The Bluejays have picked up right where they left off after an impressive end to their 2021-22 campaign. Creighton won their first seven games this season including ranked wins over No. 23 South Dakota State (11/7) and No. 22 Nebraska (11/15). Their lone loss came in their most recent tilt, a 66-62 decision at St. John's on Dec. 4.
 
Creighton boasts a balanced offensive attack with four players averaging double figures. Lauren Jensen leads the Bluejays with 17.8 ppg followed by Morgan Maly with 16.1, Emma Ronsiek with 11.3, and Molly Mogensen with 11.1. Despite attempting over 100 threes this season, both Jensen and Maly are both shooting upwards of 47% from deep range.
 
On the boards, Maly and Carly Bachelor lead the team with 6+ rebounds per game. Mogensen is also the team's leading distributor with 29 assists on the year.
 
Creighton is led by head coach Jim Flanery. In his 21st season leading the Bluejays, the 1987 Creighton graduate has amassed a record of 386-254 in Omaha.
 
As former conference foes, Drake and Creighton share a rich history on the hardwood. The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings including last year's thrilling affair and hold a 43-27 all-time advantage.
 
Scouting Iowa State
Iowa State will be the second of three in-state matchups for the Bulldogs this season. The Cyclones, currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 10, hold a 6-2 record for the season. Iowa State has lost two of its last three contests including a neutral site bout against North Carolina (11/27) and road loss at Iowa (12/7). The Cyclones will host Jacksonville on Dec. 11 and battle No. 25 Villanova on Dec. 18 before hosting Drake later this month.
 
Iowa State is led by two-time Cheryl Miller Award winner, All-American, and multiple-time All-Big 12 Conference performer Ashley Joens. The senior wing is averaging 19.3 ppg on 42% shooting from the field and 38% shooting from three-point territory. Joens is second on the Cyclone roster with an average of nine rebounds per game.
 
Former NAIA All-American Stephanie Soares has been a force for Iowa State this year. The 6-6 Brazilian is averaging 15.5 ppg, a team-high 9.3 rpg, and ranks fourth Division I with 26 blocks.
 
Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly is in his 35th year as an NCAA head coach, 28 of which have been in Ames. The Cyclones' legendary leader has built records of 740-346 overall and 574-293 at Iowa State.
 
Drake and Iowa State have faced off annually since the 1974-75 season. The Cyclones have the last two matchups and own a 32-29 advantage in the rivalry.

Up Next
Drake will remain on the road as they open Missouri Valley Conference action around the New Year holiday. The Bulldogs will visit Illinois State on Friday, Dec. 30 before a road bout at Bradley on New Year's Day.