CHARLESTON, Ill. – Drake women's basketball began its 2025-26 slate on Monday afternoon. The Bulldogs took on Eastern Illinois in the Panthers' annual Kids' Day game with over 2,000 area elementary students in attendance. Drake settled in after a jittery first quarter to eventually roll over EIU, 83-65.
The Panthers won the opening tip thanks to the length of 6-foot, 10-inch center Abbie Boutilier, who had minimal impact the rest of the way. EIU, behind a 5-of-8 start from the field was able to build an early 13-8 lead at the first media timeout. Drake then ripped off a 5-0 run out of the break to take its first lead of the game at 16-15, but the Panthers answered with a spurt of their own to retake control in a back-and-forth first period.