The Drake women’s basketball team defeated North Dakota 82-63 on Thursday at the Knapp Center.
Ava Hawthorne scored 18 points to lead the Bulldogs (4-5). Hawthorne made 8-of-11 shots, including 2-of-3 from 3-point range, while coming within a point of her career high.
She also had a career-best four steals while adding two rebounds and two assists in helping Drake to its second straight victory after a five-game losing streak.
Katie Dinnebier knocked down 5-of-8 3-point shots in scoring 16 points and handed out 13 assists, matching her high for the season and falling one short of her career best. The Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Player of the Year also had a season-high four steals.
Courtney Becker had 12 points and 13 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Anna Miller contributed 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
“It’s great to be at home,” Drake coach Allison Pohlman said. “We continued to get layups and started to finish those layups, which is a key to beating good teams. We were able to get some threes in transition, got some paint touches, just lighting the nets on fire. That gives you an edge in confidence. We’ve got to be able to maintain energy and consistency … make moves forward and keep getting better.”
Drake will return to action on Monday in an 11 a.m. game against USC Upstate at the Knapp Center
The Drake sports information department contributed this report.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Drake women’s basketball tops North Dakota at the Knapp Center
