A heartbreaking defeat for the Drake women's basketball team as they fell short against the St. Thomas Tommies on the road. The Bulldogs, despite their best efforts, couldn't keep up with the momentum of their opponents.
A Tale of Two Teams
St. Thomas, riding high on a four-game winning streak, started the game with a bang, scoring the first five points. But Drake wasn't going down without a fight. Ava Hawthorne stepped up, putting up a valiant effort with just under seven minutes left in the first period.
However, the Tommies responded swiftly, extending their lead to 9-2 before the first break. Maggie Taylor managed to score a couple of free throws, but St. Thomas wasn't done yet. A quick 5-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Faith Feuerbach, put the Bulldogs in a tough spot, prompting a timeout from Coach Allison Pohlman.
A Brief Glimmer of Hope
Taedyn Gray's tenacity on the boards gave Drake a much-needed boost. Her offensive rebound led to a trey from Grace Knutson, providing a glimmer of hope for the Bulldogs. But St. Thomas, with their hot streak, took a commanding 23-10 lead into the first quarter break.
In the second period, Abbie Aalsma, facing her sister for the first time in college, scored a clever turnaround two. Brooklin Dailey's defensive effort, drawing a charge, showed the Bulldogs' determination to shift the momentum. Yet, despite these flashes of brilliance, Drake couldn't match the Tommies' relentless attack.
St. Thomas took a substantial 43-17 lead into halftime, leaving the Bulldogs with a mountain to climb.
A Second Half Fightback?
Aalsma's corner trey and a traditional 3-point play gave Drake a much-needed boost in the second half. The Bulldogs trimmed the margin to 20 with consecutive lay-ins from Knutson, but the Tommies' lead remained formidable.
The third quarter saw Drake outscore St. Thomas 17-11, but they still trailed 54-34 heading into the final 10 minutes. Knutson's standout performance continued, joining Aalsma and Taylor in double figures. Shannon Fornshell, a Minnesota native, added to the Bulldogs' score with her first points of the day.
Despite finding some rhythm late in the game, Drake couldn't close the gap, ultimately losing 70-50.
"We just weren't ready to play," Coach Pohlman admitted. "St. Thomas came out inspired, and we were playing catch-up from the start. We need to focus more and ensure we're prepared from the get-go. We showed some promise in the third quarter, but we need to start stronger."
Knutson led the Bulldogs with 16 points, followed by Aalsma's 15 and Taylor's 11. Taylor also achieved her third double-double of the season, showcasing her consistency. Lexi Carlsen's five assists led Drake's distribution, while Anna Becker's two blocks were a career-best effort.
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back on December 17th when they travel to Indiana to face Indiana State, kicking off their Missouri Valley Conference campaign.
Controversy Corner
Is the eight-game losing streak a cause for concern, or just a blip in an otherwise promising season? And with the Bulldogs struggling to find their rhythm, how can they turn things around? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
