The Basics
The Drake women's basketball team's non-conference schedule is nearing the end. As the Bulldogs will host No. 20 Creighton on Sunday, Dec. 17 in their final home game of 2023 before traveling to Grand Forks to take on North Dakota on Thursday, Dec. 21.
Bulldogs by the Numbers
The Bulldogs are sitting at 6-3 through the first month of the season, including impressive wins over Saint Louis (11/9) and Iowa State (11/12). The Bulldogs most recently went 1-1 in their last two games against non-conference opponents, featuring a double overtime loss at Minnesota against the Gophers and a solid win over North Dakota State in the Knapp Center.
Four Bulldogs currently average double-digit points per game, led by
Katie Dinnebier (18.9) and
Grace Berg (17.0).
Taylor McAulay (11.9) and
Anna Miller (10.4) have also contributed a significant average of points. Dinnebier leads the entire MVC in scoring average, and Berg is fourth. Dinnebier also has the team lead in assists per game with 5.0, good for second most in the MVC.
Anna Miller has been reliable in the paint as the Bulldogs' leading rebounder with 8.2 boards per game, good for third-most in the MVC. Her 20 blocks are also the most in the conference. Dinnebier has also added 24 steals to the defensive effort, which is the most in the Valley.
Scouting Creighton
The Bluejays are an impressive 7-1 and are riding a five-game win streak entering this contest. Creighton is 2-1 in their last three with wins vs. UNI (12/3) and at Wyoming (12/10), and a road loss to open Big East play at Marquette (12/13).
Creighton's offense is led by the three-headed monster of Laura Jensen, Emma Ronsiek, and Morgan Maly who average 18.1, 16.4, 16.3 points per game, respectively. Mallory Brake leads the defensive charge with 12 steals and 12 rebounds and has an average of 6.4 rebounds per game.
This will be the 72nd meeting between Drake and Creighton all-time, with Drake holding a 43-28 record against Creighton. Creighton won the most recent contest, a 75-71 win for the Bluejays in Omaha last season.
Scouting North Dakota
The Fighting Hawks have begun the season 3-6 with losses in three of their last five and are coming off a loss against Eastern Illinois. North Dakota will take on in-state NAIA opponent Mayville State prior to hosting the Bulldogs.
Kacie Borowicz leads the Sioux offense with an impressive 19.3 points per game with a team-leading 2.3 assists per game, though she has only played in six of North Dakota's games thus far. Kiyah Hurst has added 13.0 points per game. Borowicz also leads the team with 14 steals.
Drake and UND have met eight times in the history of the two schools. Drake is 6-2 overall in the contests, having won two straight. This will be the first meeting for the two teams since 2016.
Up Next
Drake will take a short break for the holidays and will return to action Dec. 30, where they will begin MVC play on the road against Southern Illinois. They will return for their first home game after the New Year when they host Indiana State on Jan. 4.
