DES MOINES, IOWA — The Allison Pohlman era in Drake University women’s basketball got off to a sizzling start.

Freshman Katie Dinnebier hit a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left to lift the Bulldogs to an 82-79 season-opening victory over Creighton at the Knapp Center on Wednesday night.

Drake built a 17-point lead with some sharp shooting and passing, then had to hold off a Creighton comeback before Dinnebier connected from the left wing to give Pohlman the victory in her debut. Named the to the position in April after 14 years as an assistant with the Bulldogs, Pohlman became just the second Drake coach to win in her first game.

The other was Carole Baumgarten, who guided the Bulldogs to a victory over Iowa in Drake’s very first women’s basketball game in 1974.

The Bulldogs led by 16 before Creighton hit four 3-pointers in a 14-0 run that sliced the lead to 62-60 and they had to fight off the Bluejays the rest of the way. Creighton drew to a tie at 74 and then again at 79-all when Morgan Maly hit her fifth 3-pointer of the game with 27 seconds left.

Drake held for a final shot, Wooldridge got the ball to Dinnebier and the freshman delivered, giving Drake its sixth straight victory in a season opener. The Bulldogs shot 49 percent for the game and had assists on 22 of their 32 baskets.

Maly finished 5-for-9 from long range and led Creighton with 15 points.

The Bulldogs return action at 6 p.m. Monday against South Dakota at the Knapp Center.