DES MOINES, Iowa – An early scoring burst propelled the Drake women’s basketball team to its fourth straight victory and best conference start in five years.

Katie Dinnebier’s 17-point, 11-assist double-double led five double-figure scorers as the Bulldogs beat Evansville 78-68 at the Knapp Center on Saturday afternoon – their 17^th-straight victory over the Aces.

Drake improved to 10-4 overall and 3-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference, the team’s best start in conference play since winning its first seven MVC games in the 2018-19 season. The Bulldogs remain tied for first with Murray State, Belmont and Missouri State. All 10 victories this season have been by double-figure margins.

The Bulldogs shot better than 50 percent for most of the game before finishing at 48.4. Drake outrebounded the Aces 42-24 and finished with 11 steals and assists on 21 of 31 field goals.

Drake will hit the road next weekend, playing at Valparaiso on Friday night (6 p.m.) and UIC on Sunday (1 p.m.).