(Carbondale, IL [via godrakebulldogs.com]) – Drake hit the ground running in their first Missouri Valley Conference game of the season after they beat Southern Illinois 78-59. Saturday night’s win marked the 50th total win for Drake Head Coach Allison Pohlman.

Drake’s Katie Dinnebier played a complete game as she knocked down 26 points and also dished out seven assists and took away four steals. Grace Berg was just one point behind Deinnebier with 25 for her season high and also pulled down seven boards. Berg’s 25 points marked her 19th career game with at least 20 points or more. Anna Miller also came in clutch in both the rebounding and scoring game with 12 rebounds and 13 points for a double-double. Behind her was Taylor McAulay as she finished the team off in double-digit scoring with 10 points and a career-best five steals.

Southern Illinois was led in the game by Quierra Love with 12 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Both Laniah Randle and Se’Quoia Allmond knocked in 11 points each to round out double-digit marks in scoring. Drake was able to hold SIU to just 27.6% from the field while also holding them to 28.6% from the three-point line.

Drake now leads the Salukis 68-30 in the all-time series with three-straight victories over SIU. The Bulldogs will take on Indiana State on January 4th followed by a trip to Evansville on January 6th.