CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Creighton's four-game winning streak came to an end in heartbreaking fashion with a 78-72 overtime loss at Northern Iowa in the McLeod Center Saturday afternoon. Freshmen Megan Neuvirth and Sam Schuett both fouled out after logging double-doubles for the Bluejays. Neuvirth recorded her first career double-dime with a team-best 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Schuett posted her second straight double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.
The Bluejays (9-13, 6-5 MVC) forced overtime after a back and forth game, in which they trailed by two inside the final minute of regulation. A second-chance opportunity by Iowa native Ally Thrall tied the score at 65 with 31 seconds to play in the game. After she missed a short jump shot, she followed up with her own offensive rebound and went back up to tie the ball game. UNI (13-9, 7-4 MVC) did not manage a game-winning attempt as the shot clock expired with one second to play and the game went into extra time.
CU's first overtime game of the year ended in disappointing fashion, as UNI out-scored the Jays 13-7 in the extra five minutes. The overtime game with the Panthers marked the third straight season these teams have played an overtime game, with this marking CU's first loss in those meetings.
The Bluejays led at halftime, 34-33, after a rare four-point play by Tyrai Bronson. The sophomore guard drained a three-pointer and was fouled on the play. She drained her freebie to put the Jays up 34-33 going into the break. The Jays extended their lead to eight points, scoring the first seven points of the second half, including two a free-throws awarded after UNI head coach Tony DiCecco picked up a technical foul.
But UNI used a momentum swing of its own after Neuvirth picked up her fourth foul with over 11 minutes to play in the regulation. With CU up three at that point, UNI went on a 13-4 run to regain the lead. UNI's largest lead of the game was also eight points, as CU cut into that eight-point lead with 6:15 to play.
Iowa natives Sara Cain (12) and Kristina Voss (11) both finished with double figures, including Voss' third career three-pointer. The center is now 3-for-3 from three-point range in her career, including 2-for-2 against UNI.
Two Panthers finished with at least 20 points, led by Tara King's 22. Jessie Biggs added 20 points, eclipsing 1,000 points for her career. Traci Ollendieck led UNI with 11 rebounds.
CU returns to Iowa when it plays at Drake on Friday night. The Jays and Bulldogs will tip at 7:35 p.m. at the Knapp Center on a game televised by Fox Sports Net.
