DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake women’s basketball moved to 2-0 for the second straight season after running away from Saint Louis in the second half. The Bulldogs used a 58-point effort over the final 20 minutes of action to secure a 95-70 victory over the defending WNIT champion Billikens.

The night started with a pair of player recognitions as Anna Miller and Katie Dinnebier each received commemorative basketballs for reaching some historic milestones. Miller was honored for eclipsing the 1,000-point threshold in last year’s regular season finale and for setting the program’s career blocked shots record in Monday’s season opener. Dinnebier received an ovation of her own for becoming the seventh player to record 500+ career assists.

The team also celebrated last year’s MVC Championship with ceremonies pregame to reveal the title banner and postgame to distribute the Bulldogs’ championship rings.

• Drake has won nine of its last 10 home openers dating back to the 2015-16 campaign, including its last four straight.
• This also marked Drake’s fourth straight non-conference home victory.
• This was also the second straight year Drake has started the season with a 2-0 record.
• Drake shot 49.3 percent from the floor (33-67), including a sizzling 62.5 percent (20-32) in the second half.
• The Bulldogs hit 66.7 percent (12-18) in the third quarter.
• There were four ties and six lead changes in the game before Anna Miller’s three-point play with 35 seconds left gave the Bulldogs a 37-35 lead they never relinquished.
• The Bulldogs made a season high 13 three-point baskets, tripling their effort in the season opener at NDSU.
• Drake collected 25 assists.
• 10 of the 13 players who suited up for Drake scored points.
• Drake scored 13 points off 11 Saint Louis turnovers.
• Drake outrebounded Saint Louis 43-27.
• Senior forward Anna Miller enjoyed her seventh career 20+ scoring game with a team-high 24 points (one shy of a career high) while grabbing a game high nine rebounds.
• Miller made a career high three treys.
• Miller also scored all 10 of her first half points in the final 3:16 of the second quarter on two three-pointers and four free throws.
• Junior guard Ava Hawthorne added a career high 19 points (previous best was just nine) while making a career high four triples.
• Grad forward Courtney Becker and senior guard Ashley Iiams added 12 points apiece.
• Senior guard Katie Dinnebier, who was named to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List prior to the game, played a solid floor game with nine assists and a team high three steals.
• Drake, winning its fifth straight game against the Billikens, improved its series record to 6-2 against Saint Louis.
• The Bulldogs own a 4-0 record against Saint Louis when playing in the Knapp Center.
• Drake travels to No. 21 ranked Creighton on Monday before returning home No. 17 to host Iowa.