DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women’s basketball team spread the playing time and scoring throughout the lineup Sunday in rolling past Upper Iowa 87-40 in an exhibition game at the Knapp Center.

Drake’s three preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference selections led the way for the Bulldogs, who outrebounded their Division II opponent 60-33, came up with 15 steals and had assists on 21 of their 34 field goals. 

Graduate Grace Berg topped the scoring with 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Junior Katie Dinnebier added 14 points, nine assists and six steals, while junior Anna Miller contributed 12 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. She made all but one of her seven shots and handed out a couple of assists.

Drake held Upper Iowa to 24 percent shooting and gave up no more than four baskets in any quarter. The Peacocks did lead once, at 3-2 on Amelia Valentino’s 3-pointer, and it was tied at 6-6. But the Bulldogs closed the quarter with 10 straight points to open a 24-11 lead and were control the rest of the way.

After another exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 1, against Winona State, Drake opens the regular season at home against St. Thomas on Monday, Nov. 6.