DES MOINES, Iowa (Interstat) — In a contest defined by its ebb and flow, the Creighton women’s basketball team leveraged a dominant first half to secure an 83-74 victory over the Drake Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at a spirited Knapp Center.

Playing in front of 2,587 fans, the visiting Bluejays executed their offensive system with precision in the opening twenty minutes, building a substantial lead that ultimately proved insurmountable for the home squad. The win levels Creighton’s early-season record at one win and one loss, while Drake also moves to one and one on the young campaign.

From the opening tip, Creighton established control. The Bluejays erupted for 22 points in the first quarter, immediately putting the Bulldogs on their heels. Their offensive rhythm continued unabated in the second period, as they matched that 22-point output. This first-half explosion was fueled by a combination of sharp outside shooting and disciplined execution, allowing Creighton to head into the locker room with a comfortable 44-33 advantage.

The third quarter, however, saw a dramatic shift in momentum. The Bulldogs, energized by their home crowd, emerged from the break with renewed vigor. Drake’s offense finally found its footing, outscoring the Bluejays 23-21 in the period. A surge of energy from the Bulldogs chipped away at the Creighton lead, turning what was once a lopsided affair into a tense battle as the game headed into its final ten minutes.

Despite Drake’s valiant push, Creighton’s composure never wavered. The Bluejays weathered the storm and stabilized in the fourth quarter. While Drake managed to score 18 points, Creighton answered with 18 of their own, effectively matching the Bulldogs shot for shot down the stretch to close out the nine-point victory. The Bluejays’ consistent scoring across all four quarters (Interstat) — 22, 22, 21, and 18 (Interstat) — underscored an offensive balance that Drake could not counter for a full forty minutes.

A deeper look at the statistical story reveals the contrasting styles that shaped the game. Creighton’s success was heavily reliant on their perimeter game, as they connected on a high percentage of their attempts from three-point range. This outside barrage offset Drake’s distinct advantage in the paint, where the Bulldogs outscored Creighton 34 to 26. The battle for points off turnovers was nearly even, with Creighton holding a slight 12-10 edge, indicating a game that was largely cleanly played.

The victory for Creighton comes on the heels of a season-opening loss at home to South Dakota State just six days prior. For Drake, the defeat follows a convincing road win at Eastern Illinois to start their season. The result also aligned with the pregame analytics, as Interstat’s ELO system had projected Creighton as a significant favorite with a 75.40 percent probability to win.

Both teams now look ahead to challenging in-state rivalry games in their next outings. Creighton will hit the road again to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Wednesday, November 12. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, will have a short turnaround before a formidable test of their own, traveling to face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday, November 13.

The remainder of the non-conference schedule presents a series of tests for both programs. Following the Nebraska game, Creighton’s upcoming slate includes home contests against Northern Iowa, Tulsa, Kansas State, DePaul, and Seton Hall, alongside road trips to UNLV, Northern Arizona, Saint John’s, and Omaha.

Drake’s path forward is equally demanding. After the Iowa showdown, the Bulldogs will host Iowa State and later Lindenwood and Western Illinois. Their travel itinerary features a multi-game trip to Nashville with games against Arkansas and Northern Kentucky, followed by road contests at Saint Thomas (Minn.), Indiana State, and Illinois-Chicago, with a home game against Minnesota sandwiched in between.

The Sunday matinee at the Knapp Center served as an early-season barometer for both squads. For Creighton, it was a demonstration of resilience and offensive firepower, proving they could build a large lead on the road and hold onto it against a determined comeback bid. For Drake, the game highlighted an ability to fight back admirably, but also exposed the difficulty of digging out of a deep first-half deficit against a disciplined, efficient opponent. As both teams continue to navigate their non-conference schedules, the lessons learned from this back-and-forth encounter will undoubtedly be valuable.