Creighton University
Missouri State
Lady Bears Hand Women's Basketball 79-73 Loss In Final Game at Hammons
3/8/2008 9:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Ally Thrall led the Bluejays with 22 points, but the Bluejays struggled shooting the ball from the field in a 79-73 loss to Missouri State Saturday night in the final game in the history of the Hammons Student Center. The Bluejays end the regular-season 19-10 overall and 12-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference to earn the fourth seed in next week's State Farm MVC Tournament in St. Charles, Mo. The Jays will have a rematch with the fifth-seeded Lady Bears (11-18, 9-9 MVC) in the second game on Friday. The Jays and Lady Bears will tip off at approximately 2:35 p.m. in the second quarterfinal of the day.
Creighton trailed by as many as 19 in the game before putting together a furious comeback to make the final difference a six-point loss.
Thrall went 8-for-18 from the field for her 22 points, including 3-of-9 from three-point range. Michelle Kaus poured in a season-high 15 points, making 5-of-7 three-pointers. Megan Neuvirth pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds in the loss, as CU out-rebounded Missouri State 47-44 in the game.
The Jays trailed by 12 at halftime, 36-24, after shooting just 8-of-32 in the opening 20 minutes.
Marisha Brown led all players with 25 points, while senior Tahnee Balerio added 22 points. Tiff Terwelp finished with a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. MSU shot 48.1 percent (25-52) from the field in the game and 50 percent (9-18) from long range.
CU made just 25-of-76 shots from the field, shooting 32.9 percent. The Jays tied their season-high with 12 three-pointers, making 12-of-32 (.375) and again struggled at the free-throw line, shooting a season-low 55 percent (11-20) at the stripe.
The Jays and Lady Bears will do battle again on Friday in St. Charles, Mo., at the Family Arena in the second quarterfinal of the State Farm MVC Tournament. The game will air live on Spirit 88.9 FM and online at www.kvss.com at 2:35 p.m.
