The Basics
Drake women's basketball will continue its stretch of regional rivalry games with a pair of in-state showdowns over the next week. The Bulldogs are set to visit Iowa for a date with the Hawkeyes tomorrow, Nov. 13, before hosting Iowa State next Thursday, Nov. 20.
 
Bulldog Breakdown
The Bulldogs opened their season with an 83-65 road win at Eastern Illinois before dropping their home debut to Creighton on Sunday. Drake's victory over EIU marked its 11th straight season-opening win while the Dogs' defeat versus Creighton snapped a 4-game winning streak in home openers.
 
Rookie guard Anna Becker was named MVC Freshman of the Week after a stellar Drake debut. Becker's 22 points vs. Eastern Illinois marked the first time a Drake rookie scored 20+ in a game since Katie Dinnebier did so in her debut season.
 
Senior guard Abbie Aalsma collected the first MVC Player of the Week honor this season. She averaged 22.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 55 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range in the Bulldogs first two contests. Aalsma was one of the most dynamic shooters from deep range last season. She ranked in the top five of MVC hoops in 3-point percentage with a mark of .444. Aalsma currently sits atop the program record list with a .455 career 3-point percentage at Drake.
 
Drake's offense has found a rhythm in the second half with 85 total points netted in the third and fourth quarters of its first two games.
 
Bulldog Leaders
Abbie Aalsma | 22.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.5 apg
Grace Knutson | 17.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.0 apg
Anna Becker | 13.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg
 
Scouting Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes enter this week ranked 21st in the latest AP Poll. Iowa is 2-0 so far this season with home wins over Southern in its debut and Evansville in its most recent tilt. Iowa beat the brakes off UE, 119-43.
 
Iowa owns an advantage in its all-time series with the Bulldogs by a 31-25 margin. The Bulldogs have dropped the last seven meetings with Drake's most recent win coming in 2016. Drake is looking for its first win in Iowa City since 2001.
 
Drake women's basketball alum Jan Jensen is in her second season leading the Iowa program after a lengthy tenure as a Hawkeye assistant. Jensen has led the Hawkeyes to a 25-11 record during her stint as head coach.
 
Key Players
Ava Heiden | 17.5 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 1.0 spg
Hannah Stuelke | 16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 apg
Chazadi Wright | 12.5 ppg, 8.5 apg, 2.5 rpg
 
Scouting Iowa State
Iowa State is also ranked inside the AP Top 25 this week, checking in at No. 16 nationally. The Cyclones are 3-0 this season with wins over St. Thomas, Southern, and Sacred Heart. ISU will host Valparaiso and Norfolk State before visiting Des Moines next week.
 
Drake also trails in its all-time series with Iowa State, this time by a 33-30 tally. The two teams traded wins from 2015-20 before ISU won two straight matchups Drake will be looking to replicate the last time Iowa State was at the Knapp Center as the Bulldogs won the 2023 edition 85-73.
 
Long-time Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly is in his 31st season leading the Cyclones. He has amassed a record of 637-325 at Iowa State.
 
Key Players
Audi Crooks | 23.3 ppg, 6.7 ppg, 2.3 apg
Jada Williams | 10.0 ppg, 5.7 apg, 2.3 rpg
Addy Brown | 9.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 5.0 apg
 
Up Next
Drake's next action will be on the road at the Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn. The Bulldogs will take on Arkansas and Northern Kentucky from Nov. 25-26.