DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake University women's basketball took the first lead of Thursday's home finale and never coughed it up as the Bulldogs routed rival Illinois State in the Knapp Center. A spirited venue helped set the stage for Drake to cruise to its 10th league win of the year and avenge its earlier, 73-55.
 
Drake exploded out of the gates with a blazing offensive performance in the first quarter. The Bulldogs got 10 points over the first 10 minutes from former Redbird Abbie Aalsma, who finished with a team-high 17 including 15 in first half.
 
Drake shot the rock at a 60 percent clip from 3-point range and 50 percent rate from the field in the first quarter, ending the frame on a 10-0 run to double Illinois State up 26-13 at the pause.
 
Reserve forward Quinn Vice was forced to the bench in the second quarter after being clocked for a pair of personal fouls, but Taedyn Gray entered the rotation and performed admirably in extended minutes. Gray went on to play her career high in minutes with over 17 to her credit and scored eight points.
 
The Dogs put together another 50-plus percent 3-point shooting quarter in the second with two makes in four attempts, one of which came via Grace Knutson in the corner to beat an expiring shot clock. The Drake defense mirrored the productivity, holding Illinois State to just a 33 percent field goal rate in the first half.
 
Drake went into the break with a 42-28 advantage.
 
The third quarter featured much of the same from the Bulldogs as they opened their lead above 20 for the first time, forcing Illinois State head coach Kristen Gillespie to burn a timeout.
 
Gray continued her stellar action in the third and was joined in celebration by Lexi Carlsen and Brooklin Dailey as both players buried long balls to keep the rout going.
 
The third quarter horn blared as a Doneelah Washington trey swished home, but the attempt was not in time. Drake led 58-39 with 10 minutes to play.
 
Illinois State tried to claw back into contention, but the Bulldogs were able to come up with key scores and clutch defensive stops to maintain their momentum throughout the fourth. Both teams eventually emptied their benches with just over three minutes to play as the Bulldogs waltzed their way to the 75-33 victory.
 
"To have that effort in our last home game of the season is like a fairy tale," Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman said. "It's been a season of ups and downs, and it was just amazing to watch our team flourish in so many ways. We had a phenomenal game plan, and even better execution of it. I'm excited to be playing our best basketball in the month of March."
 
Dailey joined Aalsma in double figures for the Dogs with 14 to pace a balanced Bulldog attack. Anna Becker and Grace Knutson added nine each, with the latter leading the rebounding effort with a career high eight boards. Both Aalsma and Carlsen dished out a Bulldog best four assists.
 
Drake will finish up its regular season slate on Sunday with a rivalry road trip to Cedar Falls. The Bulldogs and Panthers will get things going in the McLeod Center at 2 p.m.
 
 
Notes

• Drake's win improved its records to 11-18 overall and an 10-9 in conference play.
• The Bulldogs have won five of their last six games.
• Drake finished the 2025-26 season with a 5-10 home record.
• Drake shot 46.0 percent (29-63) from the field and 40.0 percent (8-20) from 3-point range.
• Drake outrebounded Illinois State, 43-25.
• Abbie Aalsma led all scorers with 17 points plus four rebounds and four assists.
• Brooklin Dailey was Drake's only other double figure scorer with 14.
• Anna Becker and Grace Knutson each added nine points.
• Knutson led Drake's effort on the glass with a career best eight rebounds.
• Taedyn Gray scored eight key points off the bench.
• Drake now leads the series with the Redbirds by a 56-41 margin.