Women's Hoops Heads to Indiana State and No. 24 Illinois State

Game 19 at Indiana State ? Thursday, Jan. 31 ? 6:00 p.m. (CST)
Game 20 at #24 Illinois State ? Saturday, Feb. 2 ? 4:05 p.m.
Radio: 88.9 FM, www.kvss.com
Video: www.gocreighton.com

? The game can be heard on Spirit 88.9 FM (KVSS) and online at www.kvss.com. Brad Burwell and Rob Simms will call the action.

? Live stats and live video for this game and select road games can be found on the CU athletics website at www.gocreighton.com.

? Jim Flanery is looking for career-win 100 when CU plays Indiana State Thursday.

? Creighton has 101 turnovers in its last five games and a minus-8.6 turnover margin in that span.

? Ally Thrall is tied with Krissie Spanheimer for seventh in CU history with 137 three-pointers entering the road trip.

? Thrall leads in the MVC in 3FG percentage, shooting 46.1 percent from long range, including 53.3 (8-15) in CU's last 3 games.

? Sam Schuett led CU with 18 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for her second double-double of the year and fifth of her career against UNI last Thursday.

? Thursday's game features the top two free-throw shooting teams in the MVC. ISU leads the league at 75.9 percent and CU is second at 75.6 percent from the line.

? Creighton is 0-1 against top-25 teams this year, falling at then No. 6-Rutgers, 62-43 on Nov. 16. CU did beat now nationally-ranked Kansas State, 69-62, on Dec. 18.

? Creighton is 24-11 all-time against Indiana State, including 8-7 in Terre Haute and three-straight losses at Hulman Center.

? Creighton is 22-12 all-time against Illinois State, including 6-10 in Normal. ISU has won four of the last five overall meetings.

Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton will look to add to its two-game winning streak and capture its first MVC road win of the year this week ... The Jays have dominated the glass in MVC play, leading the league with 45.3 rebounds per Valley game for a plus 7.6 rebounding margin ... CU's 5.6 steals per game and minus 6.1 turnover margin in MVC play both rank last in the league ... The Jays rank third in the MVC with 15.3 assists per game on the year ... CU averages 10 points fewer per game on the road than it does at home ... Senior Sara Cain leads the team with 10.4 points per game, and tops the MVC, shooting 94.4 percent at the free-throw line in Valley play ... Sam Schuett ranks third in MVC play with 8.0 rebounds per game and tops the team with 6.8 rebounds per game on the year ... Ally Thrall, the MVC's top three-point shooter, tops the Jays with 3.6 assists per game ... Freshman Kelsey Woodard leads the team with 11 points per MVC game and is averaging 13 points per game as a starter.

Scouting the Sycamores
Indiana State is 5-1 at home on the year, its only loss coming to No. 23 Michigan State ... Five of ISU's first seven MVC games have come on the road ... ISU ranks third in the MVC with 70.6 points per game, but is ninth in the Valley with 71.7 points allowed per game and a minus 4.6 rebounding margin ... The Sycamores lead the MVC, making 7.0 three-pointers per game ... Senior all-MVC performer Laura Rudolphi leads the team with 15.6 points per game and tops the league with 32 blocked shots ... Angela Phillips adds 13.1 points and is second in the MVC with 4.6 assists per game ... 2007 MVC Freshman of the Year Kelsey Luna adds 12.9 ppg and leads the MVC with 2.6 three-pointers per game ... Maria Olsthoorn leads the team with 6.2 rebounds per game and tops the MVC, shooting 91.3 percent at the free-throw line ... Ten different ISU opponents have scored at least 70 points in a game this year.

Scouting the Redbirds
Illinois State is ranked 24th in this week's AP poll for the first time since Dec. 1988 ... The Redbirds entered their game with Drake on Thursday sporting a 13-game winning streak ... ISU is ranked in the top 25 nationally in 10 statistical categories, including the top 10 in five categories ... The top-scoring offense in the MVC at 78.7 ppg, ranks seventh in the NCAA, while their MVC-best 47.8 field goal percentage also ranks seventh nationally ... ISU ranks third in the nation in both assist-turnover ratio (1.4) and assists per game (19.4) ... 2007 MVC Player of the Year Kristi Cirone leads the team with 16.9 points, 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game ... She ranks second in the NCAA with a 3.14 assist-TO ratio and is ninth in assists ... Guards Maggie Krick (12.0) and Tiffany Hudson (10.8) also average double figures for ISU ... Ashleen Bracey leads the team with 7.6 rebounds per game and tops the MVC, shooting 55.1 percent from the field ... ISU out-scores opponents by 16.4 and out-rebounds the opposition by 7.3.

The Coaches
Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) guided his team to three straight WNIT appearances to start his career, while capturing the 2004 WNIT Championship. In 2003 he became the winningest rookie coach in school and MVC history. Now in his sixth season at CU, his overall mark is 99-75 (.569). Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade. Indiana State is coach by Jim Wiedie (Kent State, 1988), in his eighth year at ISU. The two-time MVC Coach of the Year owns a 136-85 mark as a collegiate head coach. Illinois State is coach by Robin Pingeton (St. Ambrose, 1990), in her fifth year at ISU. The 2003-04 MVC Coach of the Year owns a 80-59 record with the Redbirds and is 274-135 in her 13th year as a collegiate coach.

Creighton-Indiana State Series
Creighton leads the all-time series with Indiana State, 24-11, but it just 8-7 all-time in Terre Haute. The Jays have lost their last three games at the Hulman Center and dropped four of the last five meetings in Indiana. CU's lone win in Terre Haute since Jim Flanery took over was a 47-46 triumph in 2004. ISU has won six of the last seven overall meetings, with a Bluejay win in the 2007 MVC quarterfinals snapping a six-game ISU winning streak in the series. The Jays are 5-7 against ISU under Flanery. CU was crushed in Terre Haute last year, falling 89-62, as ISU scored 16 straight second-half points to pull away. The second regular-season meeting last year went to ISU 69-64, as the second half had eight lead changes. CU overcame a 19-point deficit against ISU in the MVC quarterfinals to end the Sycamores season 69-65, led by Sam Schuett's then career-best 22 points.

Creighton-Illinois State Series
Creighton leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 22-12, but is just 6-10 in Normal. The Bluejays topped the Redbirds 59-56 in the MVC Tournament semifinals last year to snap a four-game CU losing streak in the series. The Bluejays have lost their last two games at Redbird Arena, falling 70-59 last season and 75-61 in the 2005-06 season. CU had won three straight games in Normal prior to the two game skid. While ISU has won four of the last five meetings, CU had won eight straight before the recent span. Last year in Normal, the Jays did not make a field goal in the first six minutes of the game and final six minutes of the game in the 11-point loss. ISU topped CU 72-54 in Omaha in the regular-season finale. The Jays out-scored ISU 15-6 in the final six minutes of their 59-56 MVC tourney win.

Individuals Against the Sycamores
Helped by her career-game, Sam Schuett averaged 12.7 points against ISU last year. Schuett poured in 22 points, seven rebounds and five steals against ISU in the MVC tournament. Megan Neuvirth approached a triple-double in CU's loss to ISU in Omaha last year, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds and career-high seven steals. She added 12 points and eight rebounds against ISU in the MVC tourney. On the year she averaged 10 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game against ISU. Michelle Kaus pulled down a career-best 10 rebounds in Terre Haute last year.

Individuals Against the Redbirds
Ally Thrall averaged 14 points per game against ISU as a sophomore and averages 9.9 points per game against the Redbirds in her career. Megan Neuvirth had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds against ISU in Omaha last year and averaged 9.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game against the Redbirds. Sam Schuett pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds at Redbird Arena last year and averaged 6.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game against ISU as a freshman last year.

Flan's 100th ?W'
Head coach Jim Flanery will be looking for his 100th career victory this week, as he begins this road trip with a 99-75 career record. With his next win, he will join current CU Athletics Direct Bruce Rasmussen (198) and his predecessor Connie Yori (170) as the only women's basketball coaches with 100 victories in their time at Creighton. Rasmussen captured his 100th win in his 178th game and Yori needed 167 games to get to her 100th victory at Creighton.

Against the Top 25
With a 62-43 loss at No. 6 Rutgers (Nov. 16), the Bluejays have now lost 13 consecutive games to nationally-ranked opponents. CU's last win against a ranked foe came on Dec. 7, 1999 when it defeated 14th-ranked Kansas in Omaha, 55-54. The Jays' last road win against a ranked team came Jan. 2, 1999, a 67-64 win at No. 25 Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. The Jays have not played a ranked MVC team since losing to No. 23 Missouri State on Feb. 15, 2004. CU is 2-17 against the top-25 since 1998-99.

Happy New Year
At 4-3 this January, the Bluejays have avoided a losing record in the first calendar month of the year for the fifth time in Jim Flanery's first six years as coach. January is the most successful month for Flanery, as he enters the road trip 32-14 (.696) in the month. CU went 5-2 in January last year.

Terrible Haute
Creighton has lost three straight games and four of its last five in Terre Haute, with a narrow 47-46 2004 win the only triumph in its last five trips to the Hulman Center. The Jays have lost by an average of 23.5 points in their last two trips to Terre Haute, including a 27-point loss (89-62) last year. In a 79-76 loss in 2005, the Jays turned the ball over a season-high 22 times. CU has averaged 23 turnovers per game in its last three trips to Terre Haute.

Terre Hate
Creighton's three straight losses in Terre Haute can be attributed to a disturbing trend. The Sycamores have opened each of the last three second halves in the Hulman Center on impressive and game-changing runs.
? In 2005 CU led 35-32 at the half, but ISU scored the first seven points of the second half and opened the half on a 12-2 run to edge CU 79-76.
? In 2006 the Sycamores turned a 35-30 halftime lead into a 55-30 lead by scoring the first 20 points in the second half.
? In 2007 ISU led 33-31 at the break. The Jays scored the first four points after halftime to take the lead, only to watch ISU score the game's next 16 points and take control of the game.

101 Turnovers - Not as Cute as Dalmations
Creighton has committed 101 turnovers in its last five games - 20.2 per game. CU has 71 assists to 101 turnovers in that span, compared to 63 assists and 58 turnovers for opponents. CU's turnover margin in that span is a frightening minus 8.6. The Jays 18.6 turnovers per MVC game, ranks last in the conference, while CU also ranks last in turnover margin at minus 6.1. CU's 5.6 steals per game in conference play is also 10th.

Crites, Frank Tie Career-Highs
Sophomores Kelsey Crites and Katie Frank came off the bench to tie their career-highs in points in CU's 72-69 win over Bradley (Jan. 26). Crites poured in 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field and added five rebounds in 17 minutes of play. Crites also established a career-high with six assists against UNI (Jan. 24). Frank ? who had scored four points in 11 career MVC games prior to the game ? finished with eight points in just eight minutes. Frank was a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and she drained her first career three-pointer and free-throw in the victory.

Nice Day by Neuvirth
With a bus-load of friends and family from West Point Central Catholic in the stands, Megan Neuvirth had one of her better games of the year against Bradley (Jan. 26). The sophomore pulled down a season-high 11 rebounds and swiped a season-best five steals in the win. Neuvirth had just five combined steals in CU's eight games prior to her breakout performance.

Ally's Grand Finale
Senior Ally Thrall is on pace to become the 19th member of the 1,000-point club at Creighton. The point guard begins the road trip with 947 points and needs to average just 4.4 points over her guaranteed 12 final games to reach 1,000 points.

Road Weary Warriors
Creighton has played five of its first seven MVC games at home this year, going 4-1 at home and 0-2 on the road in conference play. On the year, the Jays are 7-1 at home and 4-6 away from Omaha, 3-6 in true road games. The Jays score more, shoot better and take better care of the ball at home. Statistical comparisons below:

Statistic Home Away/Neutral
Record 7-1 4-6
PPG 72.8 62.7
Opp. PPG 32.2 67.6
FG% 43.1 37.6
Opp. FG% 38.0 45.0
3FG% 38.8 30.8
Opp. 3FG% 26.8 33.0
Reb. Margin +5.9 +3.4
Asst. / game 17.6 13.4
TO / game 17.3 19.6
TO margin -0.9 -3.5

Take What is Free
Creighton held on to a 72-69 win over Bradley (Jan. 26), as the game was closer than what it should have been, with CU shooting a season-low 59.1 percent at the free-throw line. The Jays entered the game leading the MVC and 19th in the NCAA in free-throw shooting (76.8), but made just 13-of-22 shots at the charity stripe, including just 5-of-11 (45.5) in the second half.

If the Schuett Fits
Sam Schuett snapped out of a scoring slump by leading the Bluejays with 18 points to go along with a career-high 13 rebounds against UNI (Jan. 24). Since scoring in double figures in five straight games (Nov. 23-Dec. 5), Schuett had not scored more than seven points and averaged just 5.4 points per game in her eight contests prior to the UNI outburst. The double-double was her second of the year and the fifth of her career.

Thrall Moves Up Three-Point List
Senior Ally Thrall begins the road trip tied with Krissie Spanheimer for seventh on the CU career three-point chart, with 137 makes. With six three-pointers last week, Thrall moved past current graduate manager Kristi Woodard (132) and Angela Timmons (134).

Perfect No Longer
Sara Cain and Kelsey Woodard were both perfect at the free-throw line through six conference games before both missed freebies against Bradley (Jan. 26). Cain had made 14 straight at the line to open conference play before missing her first attempt against BU. Woodard drained her first 13 MVC free-throw attempts before missing in the final seconds against the Braves.

League Leaders
Seniors Sara Cain and Ally Thrall find themselves atop the MVC leader board in separate categories. Cain enters the road trip leading the MVC with a 94.4 free-throw percentage, having made 17-of-18 in conference play. Thrall tops the league by shooting 46.1 percent from three-point range on the season.

Boarding Bluejays
Creighton leads the MVC with 45.3 rebounds per game in conference play. CU's rebounding margin of plus-7.6 in MVC action is second in the league.

Working Overtime
Two of Creighton's first five MVC games went into overtime. The Bluejays topped Missouri State 79-73 (Jan. 6) at home in their first OT game, while they fell at SIU (Jan. 20) 75-74 in their second. The win over MSU was CU's first overtime win since 2006. The Jays went 0-2 in overtime last year. The Jays are now 8-5 in overtime games under Jim Flanery (since 2002-03).

Career Game for Voss
Junior center Kristina Voss scored a career-high 21 points and added a career-best 13 points for her first collegiate double-double at Southern Illinois (Jan. 20). Voss also played a career-high 36 minutes in the overtime defeat.

Woodard Wows
Freshman Kelsey Woodard poured in a career-high 25 points at Southern Illinois (Jan. 20), including nine of CU's 11 overtime points. She scored the final nine points of the game for CU and 13 of the last 15. Her point total was the highest by a Bluejay freshman since 1993 MVC Freshman of the Year Becky Flynn scored 28 against Bradley on March 1, 1993.

Dynamic Duo
Kristina Voss and Kelsey Woodard combined to have career games against Southern Illinois. Voss scored a career-best 21points and Woodard had a career-high 25 points. The duo became the first pair of Bluejays to score 20 in the same game since Ally Thrall and Woodard's older sister, Kristi, both topped 20 against Wichita State on Jan. 7, 2006.

She Keeps Going and Going and Going ...
Senior Ally Thrall played all 45 minutes in CU's overtime game at Southern Illinois (Jan. 20). It marked the fourth time in her career she has played all 45 minutes of an OT game and was the 27th “complete game” of her career. She has also played better than 40 minutes in two other OT games, but did not play the entire game in those contests.

Woodard's Conference Numbers
Kelsey Woodard has increased her scoring productivity and rebounding in MVC play. The rookie leads the team with 11.0 points per game in Valley play, while she adds 5.3 rebounds per game in MVC play. She is shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 46.7 percent (14-30) from three-point range in her first seven Valley games. She drained her first 13 free-throw attempts in MVC play and is shooting 92.9 percent (13-14) at the line in conference action.

Bucking the Trend
Creighton's loss at Southern Illinois (Jan. 20) marked its first defeat this season when it shot better than 40 percent. CU had won its first nine games of the year when it made at least 40 percent of its shots, but made 41.8 percent in a 75-74 overtime loss at SIU. The Jays are 0-6 on the season when failing to shoot 40 percent from the field and now 11-1 when shooting 40 percent or better.

Close Call
Creighton was limited to a season-low one three-point field goal against Drake (Jan. 12), shooting just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc, after attempting better than 21 treys per game through their first 13. The one trey marked CU's lowest three-point total since going 1-for-4 from long range against Minnesota on Nov. 28, 2004. The one make kept a streak of 221 straight games with a made three-pointer alive, dating back to Dec. 21, 2000. CU last did not make a three-pointer on Dec. 20, 2000, when it went 0-for-11 from downtown against Alabama.

It's Crowded in Here
A hot start, a rivalry game and a pregame promotion at the Omaha Civic Auditorium had the fans turning out for the Creighton-Drake game on Jan. 12. The crowd of 2,437 was the 10th largest crowd in school history and the first crowd of more than 2,000 in three years at a CU home game. It was CU's largest crowd turnout since the 2004 WNIT Championship game, when 4,180 fans showed up to watch the Jays crush UNLV 73-52.

Home Cooking Turns Bad
Creighton opened its home schedule 5-0 this year, while out-scoring opponents by 19 points per game. That all came crashing to an end in a 22-point loss to Drake (Jan. 12). The 73-51 loss was CU's worst home loss under Jim Flanery and the Bluejays' worst home defeat since losing by 25, 84-59, to Missouri State on Dec. 30, 2000.

Thoughts on Thrall
Ally Thrall poured in a career-high 23 points, including seven of CU's eight overtime points, in the Jays win over Missouri State (Jan. 6). She surpassed 900 career points on Jan. 6 and is on pace to become the 19th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points.

Woodard's Double-Double
Freshman Kelsey Woodard recorded her first career double-double against Missouri State (Jan. 6). She drained a career-best four three-pointers for 12 points and added a career-high 10 rebounds for the double-dime. Three of her 10 boards were offensive and came in OT.

That's the Best Since ...
In CU's dominating 83-47 home win over Wichita State on Jan. 4, the Bluejays put up impressive numbers. The 36-point margin of victory was CU's largest ever in an MVC opener, while it was the Jays' largest margin of victory since beating Missouri State by 37, 84-47, on Jan. 6, 2002. CU's 52 rebounds were the most in a game since grabbing 53 against Louisiana Monroe on Dec. 10, 2005. CU's 27 assists were the most by a Bluejay team since dishing 27 against Northern Iowa on Feb. 24, 1994.

Woodard Named Newcomer Again
For the third time this season, Kelsey Woodard was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week on Jan. 7. The rookie averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in her first two conference games, leading the team with 13 points against Wichita State (Jan. 4) and then notching her first career double-double with 12 points and career-high 10 rebounds against Missouri State (Jan. 6).

Freshmen Lead the Way in MVC Debut
The freshman duo of Kellie Nelson and Kelsey Woodard impressed in their MVC debut against Wichita State (Jan. 4). Woodard led the Bluejays with 13 points off the bench, draining her first three three-pointers and finishing 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, while adding five rebounds and four assists. Nelson also came off the bench and scored a career-high 11 points, making 5-of-6 free-throws.

That's Helpful
Creighton dished a season-high 27 assists on its 30 field goals against Wichita State (Jan. 4), the most assists in a game by the Bluejays in 14 years. Four Bluejays had at least four assists in the game, led by Ally Thrall's six. Sam Schuett, Kelsey Woodard and Kelsey Crites each had four helpers in the win, while 10 of 11 Jays recorded an assist in the victory.

By the Boards
Creighton's 52 rebounds against Wichita State (Jan. 4) were its most in over two years. Sam Schuett led the team with 10 caroms, while Sara Cain tied her career-high with nine boards. Kelsey Crites grabbed a career-best eight rebounds.

More Rebounds Than Points Allowed
Creighton pulled off a rare feat in its dismantling of Wichita State on Jan. 4 as the Bluejays pulled down more rebounds than points allowed. CU had 52 rebounds, while allowing just 47 points scored. The Jays also accomplished this in a 47-46 win at Indiana State on Feb. 8, 2004, when they grabbed 48 rebounds in that victory.

Strong Schedule, High RPI
For the second straight year, Creighton has compiled the strongest non-conference schedule in the MVC. CU's strength of schedule (SOS) ranked 53rd on www.collegerpi.com (through games played on Jan. 1). The average non-conference SOS of the other nine teams in the MVC was 158. In the first NCAA RPI report, the Bluejays ranked atop the MVC with an RPI of 49, with Illinois State close behind at 53.

Thrall For Three (x 5)
Ally Thrall established a career-high by making five three-pointers against Kansas State (Dec. 18). She was perfect from long range, making all five of her attempts in the first half. It marked the best three-point shooting day by a Bluejay since CU's all-time leading scorer and three-point specialist Kathy Halligan went 5-for-5 from long range on Feb. 20, 1992 against BYU. Below are the best three-point shooting games since that Halligan game.

Perfect 3-Point Games Since 1991-92
(at least four attempts)
Name 3FG-A Opponent, Date
Ally Thrall 5-5 Kansas St., 12/18/07
L. Spanheimer 4-4 Bradley, 1/30/05
L. Spanheimer 4-4 Oregon St., 12/2/04
Jenny Burns 4-4 Drake, 2/23/03
L. Spanheimer 4-4 Iowa, 12/8/02
Dayna Finch 4-4 Northwestern, 12/10/00
Missy Miller 4-4 Wyoming, 12/7/92
Kathy Halligan 4-4 Wyoming, 3/3/92
Kathy Halligan 5-5 BYU, 2/20/92

Winning Non-Conference Record
At 7-4, the Bluejays had a winning non-conference record for the first time since going 6-3 in 2004-05 season. The Jays were 2-7 against non-conference foes in 2005-06 and went 3-8 out of conference last year. The Jays went 7-2 in the non-conference schedule before MVC play in the 2002-03 season.

Not Half Bad
Creighton shot better than 50 percent from the field and from three-point range in its win over Kansas State (Dec. 18), the first time the Jays have topped both numbers in the same game since topping Memphis 89-79 on Dec. 6, 2006.

50-50
CU shot 51.1 percent from the field against Kansas State (Dec. 18), marking the 13th time since 2002-03 the Jays have made at least half of their shots. The Jays are 12-1 when making 50 percent of their shots or better under Jim Flanery. CU shot 57.1 percent from three-point range, the 12th game under Flanery the Jays have made at least half of their long range shots, improving to 9-3 in such games.

Ten Straight Makes
Creighton shot a season-high 51.1 percent from the field in its win over Kansas State (Dec. 18). Helping the cause was a span in the second half when the Bluejays made 10 straight field goals without a miss. Sara Cain and Kristina Voss had three straight baskets each during the run that put CU up by 20 with 7:27 left in the game.

Battling the Big 12
Creighton's win over Kansas State (Dec. 18) snapped a nine-game losing streak to Big 12 opponents, including three losses to Big 12 teams this year. The Bluejays had not defeated a Big 12 foe since a win over Colorado on Dec. 3, 2005. The Jays are now 7-13 against the Big 12 under Jim Flanery.

Woodard Named Newcomer of the Week
For the second time in the first six weeks of the season, freshman Kelsey Woodard was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week (Dec. 17). The rookie led a near-upset for the Bluejays at Iowa State (Dec. 16), scoring the final eight points of the first half to cap an 18-3 CU run, giving the Jays a 28-22 lead. She finished with a team-high 12 points, making 3-of-4 field goals and 2-of-3 three-pointers, while adding a pair of assists and rebounds.

Streak Stops With Broken Record
Sam Schuett set a school record earlier this year by making her first 22 free-throw attempts of the season. Just one game after Schuett's streak ended, Kelsey Woodard surpassed Schuett and made her 23rd straight freebie to start the season, before missing her final two free-throw attempts at Iowa State (Dec. 16). Woodard also established the school record for consecutive free-throw makes to start a career.

Schuett is Player of the Week, Dec. 10
Sam Schuett became the first Bluejay to be named the MVC Player of the Week since current graduate manager Kristi Woodard earned the honor Jan. 9, 2006. Schuett earned the honor after putting up 16 points, eight rebounds, career-high six assists, three steals and a blocked shot at Denver (Dec. 5). The Omaha native is the first CU sophomore to earn the honor since Woodard did so on Jan. 12, 2004.

Holy Schuett
With a career-high 30 points at Nebraska (Nov. 30), sophomore Sam Schuett became the first Bluejay to score 30 points since Angie Janis scored 30 against Bradley on March 2, 2006. Schuett made a career-high 11 field goals in the game, including the first 10 she attempted. Her 11 field goals in the game are the most by a player in the MVC this season. She was the first Bluejay to score 30 on the road and against a non-conference opponent since Laura Spanheimer had 31 at Oregon State on Dec. 2, 2004. No CU sophomore had scored 30 points since Christy Neneman poured in 39 against Drake on March 9, 2002 in the MVC Tournament title game.

Double Your Pleasure
As if exploding for a career-best 30 points in a game wasn't enough, Sam Schuett added a game-high 10 rebounds for her first, and the team's first, double-double of the year at Nebraska (Nov. 30).

Start Me Up
Creighton opened the year 4-1 this season, its best five-game start since 2000. Last year the Bluejays started 0-7 and did not capture their fourth win of the season until Jan. 6. CU went 4-3 this November, its most wins in November since 1985.

Tournament Champions
Creighton captured the tournament title at the Rocky Mountain Invitational in Fort Collins, Colo. (Nov. 23-24). The Bluejays topped Kent State 71-57 and host Colorado State 78-56 to win the event. Sara Cain averaged 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game to earn tournament MVP honors, while Sam Schuett added 11.5 points per game to earn all-tourney recognition. It was CU's first in-season tournament title since winning the InnSuites Classic in Flagstaff, Ariz., in 1998.

We'll Take That
The Bluejays forced a season-high 29 turnovers against Memphis (Nov. 19) and followed by forcing 25 turnovers against Kent State (Nov. 23). The 54 turnovers in a two-game span are the most under Jim Flanery and the most since the 1999 team swiped a combined 55 in a two-game span against USC and Wyoming.

Out of Action
The Jays have lost two players for the season due knee injuries, marking the third straight season knee problems have forced a Bluejay to miss the season. This year, junior Chevelle Herring and freshman Abby Henry are both out for the year due to injuries. Herring had surgery on an injured knee in early November, while Henry suffered a torn ACL in preseason practice. Last year Kelsey Crites went down with a torn ACL in the sixth game of the year and earned a medical redshirt. In 2005-06, Megan Neuvirth suffered a knee injury in the first official practice of the fall and missed the season. Herring and Henry will apply for medical redshirts at the end of the year.

90 for 90
Creighton scored 90 points against Memphis (Nov. 19) and helped head coach Jim Flanery capture his 90th career win. It was the sixth time under Flanery the Jays have scored at least 90, improving to 6-0 when reaching that mark since 2002-03.

More High Water Marks
In addition to being the largest margin of victory (33) and the most points scored by the Bluejay bench (50) in the Flanery era, the 48 points CU scored in the paint against Memphis on Nov. 19 were the most under Flanery. CU also forced 29 turnovers in the game, tying the high mark for a Flanery team set against Southern Illinois on Jan. 16, 2003. The Bluejays scored 36 points off the 29 turnovers, the second-most points off turnovers under Flanery, as the Jays scored 39 points off of Evansville turnovers on Feb. 13, 2003.

Battling the Best
With a 62-43 loss at No. 6 Rutgers (Nov. 16), the Bluejays have now lost 13 consecutive games to nationally-ranked opponents. CU's last win against a ranked foe came on Dec. 7, 1999 when it defeated 14th-ranked Kansas in Omaha, 55-54. The Jays' last road win against a ranked team came Jan. 2, 1999, a 67-64 win at No. 25 Missouri State in Springfield, Mo. CU is 2-17 against the top-25 since 1998-99.

Shooting Woes at Rutgers
The Bluejays lost 62-43 at No. 6 Rutgers (Nov. 16). CU shot just 22 percent in the loss, its worst shooting performance since shooting 19.7 percent at Northwestern on Nov. 21, 2003.

They're Back
Creighton had no seniors on the roster last year and returns 10 of 11 letterwinners and all five starters from last year's team. The only player not returning is role-player Jess Lammers, therefore the Jays are returning 99.6 percent of scoring and 99.5 percent of minutes played from last year's team. All but one (Katie Frank) of the 10 returners started at least two games for the Jays last year.

Nebraska Flavor
Over half of Creighton's 13 players on the roster this season are playing collegiate basketball in their home state. Bellevue natives Abby Henry (West), Chevelle Herring (East) and Kelsey Woodard (West), Omaha products Kellie Nelson (Westside) and Sam Schuett (Millard West) along with Katie Frank (South Sioux City) and Megan Neuvirth (West Point Central Catholic).

Senior Citizens
Sara Cain and Ally Thrall are seniors on this year's team, one year removed from a “senior-less” squad. Last year marked the first time since 1990-91 that the Bluejays did not have a senior. CU followed up that team without seniors by logging a school-record 28 wins and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history.

Five Starters Back
The Bluejays have all five starters back from last year's team after opening last season with just one returning starter. Senior Ally Thrall was the only player to start all 32 games last year, while Sara Cain started 29 and Michelle Kaus started 26. Megan Neuvirth (19) and Sam Schuett (18) are also considered returning starters. Kristina Voss (16) and Chevelle Herring (15) also started for a good portion of the season, while Kelsey Crites and Tyrai Bronson also earned a pair of starts each. This marks the first time since 1990-91 that the Bluejays have returned all five starters. That 1990-91 squad finished 22-7.

All in the Family
Freshman Kelsey Woodard is following in the footsteps of older sister Kristi, who played at Creighton from 2002-06 and is now the graduate manager for the Jays. Kelsey is wearing the same No. 3 that Kristi wore during her playing career. The Woodard's sister in-law, Heidi Geier Woodard is in the CU Athletics Hall of Fame for her softball career in the late 1990s.

Exhibition Recap
Creighton cruised past Division II Central Missouri 88-48 on Nov. 1 in its only exhibition game this year. Six Bluejays scored in double figures, led by Sara Cain's 13. Kristina Voss logged a double-double with 12 points and game-high 12 rebounds. Senior Ally Thrall was joined by freshmen Kellie Nelson and Kelsey Woodard with 12 points each. In fact, both freshmen were the first players to reach double figures for the Bluejays. Sam Schuett added 11 points for the Jays off the bench. CU shot 55 percent from the field, 45.5 percent (10-22) from three-point range and went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line while out-rebounding UCM 41-22. The Jays forced 25 turnovers and had a 38-18 advantage in points off turnovers and dominated the paint, out-scoring UCM 44-10 inside.

Blog Me
Senior guard Ally Thrall has her own blog on the Creighton athletics website at www.gocreighton.com. “Thrall's Thoughts” gives fans insights to the team through the eyes of one of its co-captains. The public relations / advertising major updates the blog once a week.

We're Moving
Creighton broke ground for a new on-campus women's basketball and volleyball facility on Oct. 16. The Ryan Athletics Center and D.J. Sokol Arena, a 46,000 square-foot facility, will house a gym seating 2,500 to 3,000, women's basketball and volleyball coaches offices, locker rooms, ticket offices, athletic training and meeting rooms, media workrooms and much more. Construction on the facility located at Webster and Florence Blvd. (19th Street) is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

Put it in Neutral
For the first time in women's Missouri Valley Conference Tournament history, the event will be played at a neutral site. The 10-team event will take place in St. Charles, Mo. (a suburb of St. Louis) on March 13-16 at The Family Arena. The neutral site will be a welcome site for league members who have not hosted the event over the past four seasons. The host school won the tournament in 2004 (Missouri State), 2005 (Illinois State), 2006 (Missouri State) and 2007 (Drake). In each of the last three seasons, the host school has been the seventh or eighth seed.

Women's Hoops Heads to Indiana State and No. 24 Illinois State

Related News

Players Mentioned

Tyrai Bronson

Sara Cain

Kelsey Crites

Katie Frank

Chevelle Herring

Michelle Kaus

Jess Lammers

Kellie Nelson

Megan Neuvirth

Sam Schuett

Ally Thrall

Kristina Voss

Kelsey Woodard

Related Videos