Creighton University
Bradley
Braves Get by Bluejays, 52-51, in Women's Basketball
2/23/2008 4:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The first half featured poor shooting and sloppy ball-handling by both squads, as Creighton (16-9, 9-5 MVC) led 28-27 at the half. Their were nine ties and eight lead changes in the opening half, while the Bluejays shot just 29 percent and turned the ball over nine times in the first 20 minutes, but still held a one-point lead.
The Braves (10-16, 4-11 MVC) entered the game leading the MVC in steals per game, and proved why in the second half. BU swiped five steals in the first half, but turned up the defensive pressure after halftime, coming away with 14 second-half steals to finish with 19 thefts in the game. CU coughed the ball up 23 times, which led to 23 points off turnovers for the Braves.
The game was decided in the final two minutes. The Jays led 51-48 with 2:05 remaining after a Sara Cain layup. The Braves cut the CU lead to one with 43 seconds remaining on a Sonya Harris layup after she swiped a steal and converted on a break. CU then had the ball and a chance to run some time off the clock, but Skye Johnson logged her eighth steal of the game from freshman Kelsey Woodard, which led to a fast break chance for Kelly Krumwiede.
Krumwiede was fouled by Ally Thrall on the break and converted both of her free-throws with 14.7 seconds left on the clock. On CU's ensuing possession, Thrall missed a fade away shot from the baseline and BU pulled down the rebound. A foul on Kristina Voss sent Harris to the line, where she missed the front end of a one-and-one opportunity. Megan Neuvirth grabbed the board with 5.6 seconds left, got the ball to Woodard who ran the length of the court, but opted to try a pass for a cutting Cain and time ran out as BU deflected the pass.
The loss snapped CU's 17-game winning streak in
Thrall led all players with 14 points, making 6-of-12 from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range. Cain finished with 13 points for the Jays. Sam Schuett led the Jays with 11 rebounds, as CU out-rebounded BU 45-34.
The Braves were led by Raisa Taylor's 12 points off the bench, while Krumwiede and Johnson finished with 10 points. Johnson logged eight of BU's 19 steals in the game as Bradley out-scored the Jays 23-11 on points off turnovers.
The Bluejays return to action this Friday when they take on
