The Drake Bulldogs opened the season with an 83-65 win over Eastern Illinois before dropping eight straight to Creighton, Iowa, Iowa State, Arkansas, Northern Kentucky, Lindenwood, Western Illinois, and St. Thomas. Certainly, a chunk of the performance fall off could be attributed to the graduation of Bulldog mainstays Katie Dinnebier (two time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year) and her double double threats Anna Miller and Courtney Becker.
Gopher fans remember the Drake trio from the last meeting between the Gophers and Bulldogs in December of 2023. Minnesota prevailed in a wild come from behind 94-88 2 OT victory at Williams Arena. Dinnebier scored 30 in 41 minutes, Miller (17 points and 13 rebounds) and Becker (10 points and 10 rebounds). Saving the day for Minnesota were Mara Braun (33 points in 50 minutes) and Mallory Heyer (16 points and 10 rebounds).
In Drakes last outing they broke back into the win column with a MVC conference victory over Indiana State 97-77 in Terre Haute. More importantly, The Bulldogs resembled the back cutting, drive and kick team that has given Minnesota nightmares in the past.
Last season Drake finished 4th in the MVC at 15-5 (22-12 overall). They were projected to settle into fourth this season behind Belmont, Murray State and Illinois State.
Players to watch: Abbie Aalsma the 5’9” senior guard is the leading scorer (15.3 per game). 5’10” sophomore guard Grace Knutson is the second leading scorer (13.1 per game). 6’2” sophomore forward Maggie Taylor averages 8.7 rebound per game. And 6’4” freshman forward Quinn Vice scored 11 points in 13 minutes versus Indiana State.
