The Basics
The Bulldogs are set to open 2025 with a pair of home games in Missouri Valley
Conference play. Drake will host UIC (Jan. 2) and Valparaiso (Jan. 4) with hopes of
continuing their current 5-game winning streak.
Bulldog Bites
Drake has been on fire of late. The Bulldogs' win over Valpo marked the third time in
Allison Pohlman's tenure that the Dogs enjoyed a 7-game winning streak. It also marked the Bulldogs' 19th straight MVC home victory dating back to the 2022-23 season. In the Dogs' last game, Pohlman picked up her 80th career victory, joining every previous Drake women's basketball with at least that many victories.
Katie Dinnebier has had a sensational senior season. She has scored 30+ points in three of her last six outings and owns six of the MVC's top nine single-game scoring efforts this season. She is in the top 20 nationally and second in the MVC with 20.7 points per game. Dinnebier's 7.5 assists per game and total 120 assists both lead The Valley and rank second in the NCAA. Dinnebier and
Abbie Aalsma have been a dynamic duo from deep range this season. Both sharpshooters are ranked in the top five of MVC hoops in 3-point percentage with marks of .414 and .402, respectively.
Dinnebier has earned the last five Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week awards, making it six on the year.
Anna Miller's stranglehold on the Bulldogs' all-time blocks record has gotten even stronger. The senior forward currently has 252 career rejections. Miller leads The Valley and is eighth in the NCAA with 40 total blocks, and her average of 2.5 blocks per game is also slotted 10th nationally. Miller and
Courtney Becker have led the Bulldogs rebounding effort to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference stat sheet this year. Those two are among the top six rebounders in the league and pace Drake's MVC-best 648 total boards and 10.4 rebounding margin.
Becker is tracking down the 1,000-point mark for her career. The graduate forward currently owns 906 career points and is looking to become the 38th player in program history to reach 1,000 points.
Bulldog Leaders
Katie Dinnebier | 20.5 ppg, 7.5 apg, 4.4 rpg
Anna Miller | 15.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 2.5 bpg
Courtney Becker | 10.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.9 apg
Scouting Belmont
Belmont has put together another talented team in 2024-25 and currently holds records of 9-7 overall and 4-1 in MVC play. The Bruins are riding a 3-game winning streak since a 57-55 loss at Missouri State on Jan. 2. Belmont will look to improve upon their 3-4 record away from home on Thursday evening.
Belmont is coached by eighth year head coach Bart Brooks. Under Brooks, the Bruins have posted a record of 181-62.
Drake is 4-1 all-time against Belmont with their only loss coming in Nashville in 2023. The Bulldogs are 2-0 vs. Belmont in Des Moines.
Bruin Leaders
Jailyn Banks | 13.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.6 apg
Emily La Chapell | 10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.7 apg
Kendall Holmes | 10.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.1 apg
Scouting Murray State
The Racers of Murray State bring a 10-4 overall record and 4-1 mark in league play into this weekend. Murray State also boasts the top scoring offense in The Valley at 87.3 points per game. The Racers also suffered a road loss at Missouri State but bounced back to win their two most recent tilts.
Rechelle Turner is in her eighth year leading the Racer women. Turner has amassed a 121-105 record during her tenure.
Drake is undefeated in four tries against the Racers. Two of those meetings have come in Des Moines while other other pair took place in Murray.
Racer Leaders
Katelyn Young | 18.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.7 apg
Halli Poock | 17.0 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.8 rpg
Haven Ford | 16.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.2 apg
Up Next
Drake will continue its treacherous run through the Missouri Valley Conference with another road weekend. The Bulldogs are set to visit Missouri State (Jan. 24) and Southern Illinois (Jan. 26).
