Katie Dinnebier scores 27 points to lead Drake women's basketball past Louisiana Tech
Katie Dinnebier’s career-high 27 points carried the Drake women’s basketball team to a 77-66 victory over Louisiana Tech at Knapp Center on Friday in the opening game of the Bulldogs’ Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic.
Dinnebier sparked two key spurts when the Bulldogs (4-1) needed a lift in topping her previous best of 24 points, which she had reached twice. The 5-foot-8 junior finished 8-for-13 from the field – seven driving layups and a 3-pointer – sank all 10 of her free throws, handed out four assists and made four steals.
Grace Berg added 21 points, including 16 in the second half, when Drake outscored the Lady Techsters 44-29 in taking control of the game. A graduate senior, Berg passed Maddy Dean and Erin Richards to move into 25th place on Drake’s career scoring list with 1,340 points.
Berg made 7-of-11 shots from the field with a 3-pointer and knocked down all six of her free throws. Anna Miller also reached double figures for the Bulldogs, finishing with 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
The Bulldogs were looking for a bounce-back victory after their loss at then-No. 2 Iowa last Sunday and they got it, though they had to work for it against an aggressive Louisiana Tech bunch.
Drake shot 62.5 percent in the second half and 51 percent for the game while holding Tech to 38.7 percent shooting.
“(Louisiana Tech is) a really good team,” Drake coach Allison Pohlman said. “I thought we would’ve had a few more opportunities on the glass, but they really locked us up. We showed a lot of growth, especially down the stretch managing the game. Katie (Dinnebier) was ready (for the challenge). Our transition game in the second half and points in the paint were great. We finished really well, and continue to grow.”
Drake improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 at home this season.
The Drake sports information department contributed this report.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Katie Dinnebier scores 27 points to lead Drake women's basketball
