MOLINE, Ill. – Drake women's basketball began their MVC Tournament title defense with a blowout win over No. 9 seed Indiana State on Friday afternoon. The top-seeded Bulldogs used a fast start to build an early lead, one they never relinquished, as they won their 12th straight game, 79-57.
 
The newly appointed MVC Player of the Year Katie Dinnebier got the scoring started in Friday's quarterfinal with a three-pointer from the top of the key on Drake's first possession. On their next trip down the floor, Dinnebier dished an extra pass to Taylor McAulay in the same spot for another triple.
 
Indiana State (11-21, 6-14) hit a couple threes of their own to stay within striking distance in the early going. Chelsea Cain and Kiley Bess connected for the Sycamores.
 
The Bulldogs extended their lead into double figures just before the end of the first period as two Anna Miller free throws put Drake (27-5, 19-1) on top, 24-13. The Bulldogs held Indiana State scoreless over the final 2:30 of the opening period.
 
The Drake attack slowed down a tick to start the second quarter, but still held on to a comfortable lead. Dinnebier eventually hit a deep trey from straight away before knocking another down in transition to force a Sycamore timeout midway through the period. Indiana State used their pause wisely and started to chip away at Drake's lead. Reserve forward Savannah White hit a mid-range jumper to cut the deficit to 11.
 
Grace Berg stopped the Sycamore's short run after getting fouled while attempting a triple. She hit two of three from the charity stripe. Berg cashed in again with another deuce after ripping down an offensive rebound with just over a minute to play in the half.
 
The Drake defense stepped up again down the stretch of the second quarter, holding Indiana State scoreless for nearly three minutes. The Bulldogs took a 42-26 lead into halftime.
 
Anna Miller triggered an 8-0 Drake run to start the second half with two straight scores in the paint. The Sycamores' scoreless streak lasted over four minutes until Saige Stahl made a pair of free throws. Miller also grabbed her 10th rebound of the game early in the third quarter to record her 15th double-double of the season.
 
The Drake led grew to 20 at the third quarter media break, but that advantage did not last long as Asia Donald and Mya Glanton made two consecutive bunnies. Indiana State could not muster anymore magic in the third quarter as a Megan Meyer three and Ashley Iiams putback re-extended the Bulldogs' advantage. Drake led 62-41 after three quarters.
 
The floodgates opened completely in the fourth quarter as Indiana State could not keep up with Drake's explosive offense. The difference reached 30 points on a Miller free throw. Drake was able to empty the bench as they continued to pull away and eventually secured the 79-57 victory.
 
Grace Berg led all players with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Fellow All-MVC honorees Katie Dinnebier and Anna Miller each netted 15 points while Miller's 12 rebounds led all players. Dinnebier paced all passers with seven assists.
 
"[It was] a great win against a gritty team," Suzie Glazer Burt head coach Allison Pohlman. "We shot the ball extremely well to start the game and then allowed things to come to us. I didn't really feel like we got into a solid flow, but we were able to get stops and did a nice job on the rebounding side of things. I love the women on our team…I love the product they put on the floor."
 
With the win, Drake advanced to the MVC semifinals and a date with No. 4 UNI. The Bulldogs and Panthers will tip off their third matchup of the season on Saturday, Mar. 16 at 1:30 p.m.
 
 
NOTES

• Drake, earning its 12th straight win, improved to 27-5 overall.
• This marked the fifth time in Drake program history the Bulldogs have won 26 or more games in a season.
• The 27 victories are the most by the Bulldogs in a season since the 2018-19 Drake team posted a 27-7 record.
• Drake is now one win shy of matching the program record for victories in a single season.
• The Bulldogs are now 51-26 all-time in MVC Tournament games including 5-1 vs. Indiana State.
• Friday marked Drake's fourth MVC Tournament win in a row.
• This marked the 22nd time Drake has won a game by double figures this season, including the 14th MVC contest.
• Drake earned its first neutral site win of the season.
• Drake outrebounded Indiana State, 45-26.
• Drake improved its record to 24-1 when leading at halftime.
• Anna Miller earned her seventh double-double in the last eight games and 16th of the season with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
• Katie Dinnebier entered Friday's contest 1-for-12 on three pointers in career MVC Tournament games. She started the quarterfinal win 3-for-4 from three.
• Dinnebier finished with 15 points and a game-high seven assists.
• Grace Berg led all scorers with 18 points and posted five rebounds and two assists.
• Ashley Iiams scored six points and collected a career high six rebounds.
• Drake, winning its fifth straight game against Indiana State, improved to 66-24 in the series against the Sycamores including an 25-17 mark in away from Des Moines.