DES MOINES, Iowa – Louisiana Tech built a 12-point lead in the first half, but Drake would use big runs in the second half to beat the Lady Techsters, 77-66, in the opening game of the Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic on Friday afternoon in Des Moines, Iowa at the Knapp Center.
 
With the loss, Louisiana Tech dropped to 2-2 on the season, while Drake improved to 4-1.
  
Silvia Nativi would score the first five points of the contest for the Lady Techsters as they gained a 10-4 lead early on. However, Drake would use a 7-0 lead to gain the lead, which would turn into the game's theme.
 
Louisiana Tech would open the second with a 17-3 run, highlighted by seven of Nativi's career-high 17 points. With a 37-25 lead, the Lady Techsters looked like they would start to pull away, but the Bulldogs would close out the first half on a nine-point run. LA Tech would go into the half up 37-33.
 
The Lady Techsters looked like they could hold off Drake early in the second half. Tech would extend their lead to seven off a three from the wing by Jianna Morris.
 
Tech would go cold the remainder of the quarter, missing their final seven shots. Drake would capitalize with a 14-2 run to gain the 53-48 lead after three.
 
Anna Larr Roberson would knock down a turnaround jumper from the elbow midway through the fourth, but Drake would respond with a small run to extend the lead to 70-59. From there, when the Lady Techsters tried to make a run, Drake would respond.
 
Katie Dinnebier and Grace Berg led the way for the Bulldogs. Dinnebier finished with 27 points and was 10-10 from the free-throw line. Berg added 21 points on 7-11 shooting.

QUOTABLES
 
 Head coach Brooke Stoehr 
 "We Battled a tough Drake team on their home court today and couldn't make some key plays when we needed to in the fourth quarter. We defended well in the first half and got in a little foul trouble in the second. We need to be more disciplined and be able to answer their run in the third. We got a little stagnant offensively and had some good looks that didn't go down. They capitalized on their opportunities. This group is learning some valuable lessons on the road that will prepare us for conference play. We have to regroup quickly and be ready to go tomorrow."
  
NOTABLES

• Nativi finished with a career-high 17 points and was 3-4 from behind the arc. She ended the game shooting 7-10 from the field.
• The Lady Techsters won the turnover battle, 19-16 and 16-8 in points off turnovers. 
• It was the third game this season the Lady Techsters forced an opponent to 18+ turnovers.

 
UP NEXT
The Lady Techsters will take on Maine at 11:30 a.m. CT on the second day of the Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
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