Creighton University
Wichita State
Bluejays Hang on for 71-68 Women's Basketball Win at Wichita State
2/25/2007 2:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
WICHITA, Kan. - Sara Cain tied her career-high with 19 points and Tyrai Bronson scored a career-best 12 points by draining four three-point field goals as the Bluejays defeated Wichita State 71-68 at Charles Koch Arena Sunday afternoon. The win moved the Bluejays to 8-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference, locking in a top-six seed for the State Farm MVC Tournament in two weeks. Creighton, 11-16 overall, concludes the regular-season at home with two games this week.
The Bluejays saw a 14-point halftime lead erased in the second half, as the Shockers (9-17, 4-12 MVC) took their first lead of the game with 4:11 to play when Lexee McDonnell drained a three-pointer to put WSU ahead 64-62. The Shocker lead was short-lived as Bronson drained her fourth three-pointer of the game on CU's next possession to put the Jays up 65-64 just inside of four minutes to play.
The Jays built their lead back up to three when Ally Thrall sank a left-handed lay-up with 2:30 to go. Kiki Stephens answered with a tough leaner to cut the CU lead back to 67-66 with just over two minutes to play and then McDonnell once again gave the Shockers the lead with 1:06 to play as she sank two free-throws after a tough-call went against the Bluejays.
Down 68-67 after the free-throws, redshirt freshman Megan Neuvirth picked a clutch time to make her only basket of the day, giving the Bluejays a 68-67 lead with a bank-shot with 48 seconds to play. McDonnell turned the ball over on a traveling violation the next trip down for WSU, and the Shockers were forced to foul. Thrall canned two free-throws for the three-point margin.
WSU missed a shot on its next possession, fouled Neuvirth on the rebound and the rookie missed her free-throw shot to allow the Shockers once last attempt at the game-tying basket. McDonnell's three missed and gave the Jays a season-sweep of the Shockers.
Cain led all players with 19 points to tie a career-best, while she added eight rebounds in 25 minutes of play. Bronson's 12 points bettered her former career-best of 10 set at Memphis earlier this season. Kristina Voss also chipped in 12 points, making a career-high 8-of-9 free-throws. Sam Schuett topped the team with 10 rebounds.
Whitney Rice and Antionette Wells each had 13 points to lead the Shockers on their Senior Day. Wells, playing in her final game at Koch Arena, also added 11 rebounds to lead all players.
Both teams finished with 18 turnovers, including 13 by the Shockers in the opening half. CU logged nine steals, led by Neuvirth's three. Neuvirth also topped the team with four assists.
The Bluejays return home for their final regular-season games. CU hosts Indiana State on Thursday night at the Civic Auditorium, with a 7:05 p.m. tip. The Jays then close out the season against Illinois State on Saturday. Both games can be heard live on Spirit 88.9 FM.
