The Basics
Drake women's basketball has evened its record at 2-2 after dropping a pair of rivalry matchups in the last two weeks. The Bulldogs fell at Creighton (Nov. 11) before slipping up against Iowa (Nov. 17) back in the Knapp Center. Drake's November slate does not let up with a short drive to Ames and a date with Iowa State on deck.
Bulldog Bites
Drake's losses to Creighton and Iowa were remarkably similar. The Bulldogs started well in both matchups but were worn down by the Bluejays' and Hawkeyes' persistence. Drake has now played to a 2-2 start for the second time in three seasons.
Anna Miller, who was awarded the MVC Player of the Week award just prior to the Dogs' game at Creighton, had an unusually ineffective showing vs. Iowa. She went just 1-for-17 from the field but was picked up by a historic performance from Katie Dinnebier. The preseason MVC Player of the Year poured in a career high 40 points and was given the most recent installment of the MVC Player of the Week honor. It marked the first 40-point game by a Bulldog since 2015 and first such effort by any MVC player since Murray State's Katelyn Young scored 43 in the Knapp Center two seasons ago.
Bulldog Leaders
Katie Dinnebier | 19.8 ppg, 5.8 apg, 2.0 spg
Anna Miller | 17.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 4.0 bpg
Courtney Becker | 13.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg
Scouting Iowa State
The Cyclones are 4-1 on the year and enter the weekend ranked No. 8 in the country. That top 10 mark will likely slip some, though, as Iowa State went to Cedar Falls and got outplayed by UNI down the stretch. The Panthers handed ISU its first loss of the year, 87-75. Prior to that tilt, Iowa State picked up dubs over Chicago State, Indiana State, Southern, and St. Thomas.
Bill Fennelly is in his 30th season as the Cyclones' head coach. He has led the Clones to a record of 615-314 over his tenure.
The Bulldogs trail Iowa State in their all-time series, 32-30. Drake and the Cyclones have split the last four meetings, but the Dogs have not won in Ames since a 63-61 result in 2002.
Cyclone Leaders
Audi Crooks | 19.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.0 apg
Addy Brown | 16.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.8 apg
Sydney Harris | 9.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg
Up Next
Drake will trade Iowa's November bluster for Caribbean beaches with a stint in San Juan, Puerto Rico over the Thanksgiving holiday. While on the island, the Bulldogs will play three games in as many days with bouts against Wyoming, Green Bay, and Washington State.
