Women's Basketball Hosts Illinois State Thursday
3/2/2010 4:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Game 26 vs. Illinois State • Thursday, March 4 • 7:05 p.m.
Illinois State Redbirds at Creighton Bluejays
Ryan Athletic Center & D.J. Sokol Arena • Omaha, Neb.
Radio: 1180 AM, www.koilam1180.com • Video: www.gocreighton.com
Series History: Creighton leads 26-14
Last Meeting: Creighton won 69-44, Jan. 2, in Normal
• The game can be heard on KOIL AM 1180 in Omaha and online at www.koilam1180.com. Brad Burwell and former Bluejay Ally Thrall will call the action.
• Live stats for this game and all home games can be found on the CU athletics website at www.gocreighton.com.
• Live video for all home games are available for an annual fee of $69.95 or a monthly fee of $11.95. More information is available at www.gocreighton.com.
• Seniors Kelsey Crites, Katie Frank, Chevelle Herring and Megan Neuvirth will be honored after the game as part of Senior Day.
• Creighton posted a 6-3 MVC road record this year, with an average winning margin of 19 in its six wins (all six by at least 10).
• Creighton's 23 second-chance points at Drake last Friday night were a season-high.
• Ally Jensen scored a career-high 13 points at Drake last Friday, making 3-of-5 3FGs.
• Kelsey Woodard (84.3) ranks second and Sam Schuett (83.1) ranks third in school history in career free-throw percentage.
• Sam Schuett had 15 points and career-high 14 rebounds against ISU in January.
• Creighton has won five of the last seven games with Illinois State and is 16-2 against the Redbirds in Omaha.
Scouting the Bluejays (16-9, 11-5 MVC)
Creighton is 9-3 at home this year and 5-2 in MVC home games ... CU has lost two or fewer home MVC games in six of the last eight years ... The Bluejays lead the MVC and rank 23rd in the NCAA with 7.2 three-pointers per game ... CU tops the MVC, allowing just 58.6 ppg and only 56.3 ppg in league play ... The Jays have been out-rebounded in four of their last six games after out-rebounding their first 10 MVC foes ... The Jays are led by junior forward Sam Schuett, who leads the team in rebounds (7.6), free-throw percentage (.878), 3FG percentage (.403), 3FG made (48), blocks (34) and double-doubles (6) ... Schuett also leads the team with 14.4 points per game in MVC play ... MVC Preseason Player of the Year, senior forward Megan Neuvirth, the reigning MVC Defensive Player of the Year, leads the team with 13.3 points and 2.5 steals per game and tops all active MVC players in career rebounds (882) and steals (270) ... Junior guard Kelsey Woodard (10.1) also scores in double figures ... Senior point guard Chevelle Herring is averaging 13 points per game in CU's last three contests.
Scouting the Redbirds (22-5, 15-1 MVC
Illinois State has already captured its third straight MVC regular-season title ... ISU has won 15 straight games since losing to Creighton 69-44 on Jan. 2 ... ISU ranks second in the MVC (behind UNI) and third in the NCAA in free-throw percentage (.806) ... The Redbirds lead the MVC with a +9.7 scoring margin (+12.2 in MVC play), field goal percentage (.446), FG percent defense (.370) and assist-turnover ratio (0.9) ... They rank second, scoring 71.4 points per game ... ISU is led by the senior trio of Maggie Krick, Ashleen Bracey and Nicolle Lewis, each of which have scored 1,000 points in their careers ... Krick leads the team and is third in the MVC with 15.5 points per game, and tops ISU with 3.9 assists per game ... Bracey averages 14.6 points and team-best 7.8 rebounds, leading the team with 15.8 ppg in MVC play ... Lewis adds 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game and leads the MVC with 53 blocked shots ... Katie Broadway leads the MVC, shooting 44.6 percent from three-point range and is tied with Bracey for the team-lead at 37 three-pointers.
The Coaches
Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) is in his eighth season as head coach, where he has led his team to five WNIT postseason appearances and four 20-win seasons. He owns a career record of 147-101 (.593). In 2003 he became the winningest rookie coach in school and MVC history and led the Jays to the 2004 WNIT Championship. Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade. Flan is 12-6 all-time against ISU. Robin Pingeton (St. Ambrose, 1990) is in her seventh season at Illinois State, where she is 122-77 (.613) as a Division I head coach. She has led ISU to two MVC Tournament titles and three regular-season crowns. Pingeton, a former Iowa State assistant, was a head coach at NAIA St. Ambrose for eight years as well.
CU-ISU Series History
Creighton leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 26-14, including an impressive 16-2 mark in Omaha. The Jays have won five of the last seven meetings with ISU and are 16-7 in the last 23 meetings. CU won the first 14 meetings with ISU in Omaha before the Redbirds won two straight (2006 & 07). ISU's last two games in Omaha have gone to overtime, with CU winning 65-62 to end the regular-season last year and topping the Redbirds 80-77 on Feb. 29, 2008.
Last Time Against Illinois State
Creighton handed Illinois State its only MVC loss in dominating fashion, leading 39-22 at halftime, en route to a 69-44 win in Normal on Jan. 2. CU made 8-of-13 (.615) three-pointers in the first half and went 15-of-30 (.500) from the field to build its halftime lead. Sam Schuett led all players with 15 points and career-high 14 rebounds, making 3-of-4 three-pointers. Kelsey Woodard added 14 points and made all four of her three-point attempts. Emily Hanley led ISU with 10 points, as the trio of Ashleen Bracey (8), Nicolle Lewis (8) and Maggie Krick (4) combined for just 20 points on 10-of-30 (.333) shooting from the field. CU out-rebounded ISU 43-31. The 44 points were Illinois State's fewest in a game since Jan. 6, 2002 and the loss was ISU's largest at home since a 71-46 defeat to Illinois on Dec. 1, 2002.
Get Ready For Overtime
This game is slated to go overtime. Contributing factors include:
• ISU's last two trips to Omaha have each gone into overtime – both CU wins.
• Creighton has played just one overtime game this year, none in Omaha, but in each of the past two regular-seasons, CU has played three overtime games, with two coming at home.
Senior Day
Creighton will honor its four seniors following the game. Here are some brief highlights of each of their careers:
• Kelsey Crites, one of three fifth-year players, has appeared in 119 games in her career, which currently ranks 10th in school history. She started 16 contests, including 11 of the final 12 games in 2008-09 when she averaged a career-high 21.8 minutes and 5.2 rebounds per game. She has 520 points and 405 rebounds in her career.
• Katie Frank is the only four-year senior this season, appearing in 94 games over the past four years. She earned her first two starts of her career earlier his season. Frank has career-highs in minutes, field goals, field goal attempts, rebounds, assists, steals and points this year.
• Chevelle Herring returned from a redshirt season in 2007-08 to earn MVC second-team honors in 2008-09 while leading the team with 13 points per game. She became the 22nd player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points and has 233 assists and 224 rebounds in her career. Of her 117 games, she has started in 78.
• Megan Neuvirth was injured in the first practice of her freshman year and after redshirting, earned MVC Newcomer of the Year honors in 2006-07 while leading the league in steals. The MVC Defensive Player of the Year last year when she led the league in steals and rebounds, she was the MVC Preseason Player of the Year this season. She's second in school history in rebounds and fourth in steals. She is the only player in school history with 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 200 steals.
Give Us a Second Chance
Creighton scored a season-high 23 second-chance points in its 77-57 win at Drake last Friday, its most second-chance points in a game since scoring 29 at Kansas on Nov. 27, 2007. The Bluejays are now averaging 12.4 second-chance points per game, on 13.3 offensive rebounds per game. CU owns a 309-239 advantage in second-chance points this year.
Road Warriors
Creighton posted a 6-3 MVC road record for the second straight season. Each of CU's six road wins resulted in a double-digit margin for the Jays. CU's average margin of victory in its six MVC road wins this year was 19. In CU's six wins, they averaged 67.7 points and allowed just 48.7. In its three losses on the road, the Jays averaged 61 points and allowed 71.7.
Happy Homecoming
Freshman Ally Jensen enjoyed playing just 30 miles from home last Friday night, as the Ames native poured in a career-high 13 points in Des Moines to help the Bluejays top Drake. Jensen's family purchased more than 200 tickets to the game and the rookie didn't disappoint the large crowd of friends and family, making 3-of-5 three-pointers to help her career-high scoring effort.
Building Blocks
Sam Schuett and Megan Neuvirth have both moved into the top-10 in school history in career blocked shots. Schuett ranks eighth in school history with 75 swats, while Neuvirth is tied for ninth with 73 blocks. Schuett has blocked at least two shots in six of her last seven games this season and ranks fourth in the MVC in blocked shots, with 34 this year.
Fantastic Free-Throw Facts
Sam Schuett leads the team and ranks second in CU single-season history, shooting 87.8 percent at the free-throw line this year. That percentage ranks 13th in the NCAA this week and her career 83.1 percent at the stripe ranks third in school history. Kelsey Woodard's career free-throw percentage of 84.3 ranks second in school history, trailing only her older sister Kristi's record 86.2 percentage. The elder Woodard also owns the single-season mark of 89.2 at the line.
The Grand Trio
Chevelle Herring became the third Bluejay this year and the 22nd in school history to reach 1,000 career points when she surpassed the number at UNI (Feb. 21). She joined Megan Neuvirth and Kelsey Woodard to become the first trio in school history to reach the milestone in the same season.
Chevy Revs Up
Senior guard Chevelle Herring led the Bluejays with 17 points at UNI (Feb. 21), her highest scoring game in MVC play this season. It marked her second-highest point output of the year, behind her 20-point game against Davidson (Nov. 15). Herring, who led CU in scoring with 13 ppg last year, has now led the Jays in scoring in just three games this year. The guard is averaging 13 points per game in CU's last three games and 9.9 points in her last nine games.
Keep it under 70
Creighton leads the MVC in defense, allowing just 56.3 points per game in Valley play, but allowed better than 70 points in each of its two losses – the first time it had allowed 70 points in back-to-back MVC games since the 2007-08 season. The Jays allowed just one MVC opponent to top 70 points last year, but have now allowed 70 or more points in four MVC games this year (all losses). The Jays are 0-5 this year when allowing at least 70 points and are just 27-59 (.314) when allowing 70 or more in a game under Jim Flanery.
At Home in The Valley
Creighton is 21-4 at home in MVC play since the start of the 2007-08 season, going 8-1 in both of the previous two seasons, before starting 5-2 this year. Prior to their loss to Missouri State (Jan. 9), they were 17-0 in Valley play at home against teams not from Des Moines in that span, as Drake handed the Jays their lone MVC home loss in both 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Home is Where the Wins Are
The Bluejays have won 20 of their last 24 home games and are 81-27 (.750) at home under Jim Flanery. The Jays are now 75-23 (.765) all-time on-campus (9-3 at D.J Sokol Arena, 26-12 at Kiewit Fitness Center and 40-8 at Vinardi Athletic Center). The Bluejays played 301 of their first 428 recorded home games at the Omaha Civic Auditorium where they posted a 213-88 (.708) record. Despite all of the moving, Creighton has managed to post a 320-120 (.727) recorded home record all-time at 12 different “home” sites.
By the Boards
Creighton out-rebounded its first 10 MVC opponents, the longest streak of rebounding advantages under Jim Flanery. Since that 10-game streak, the Jays have been out-rebounded in four of their last six games. During CU's 10 game streak of out-rebounding, the Jays were 7-3, out-rebounding teams by an average of 10.2 per game. Since then, the Bluejays are 4-2 and have been out-rebounded by an average of 2.7 boards per game. CU was out-rebounded 42-26 at UNI (Feb. 21), its worst rebounding margin of the season.
D, D, D, Defense
In Creighton's last two home games, the Jays allowed SIU and Evansville to score just 41 points each, while the pair of teams combined to shoot 28-of-126 (.222) from the field. Seven of CU's 16 MVC opponents this year have failed to score 50 points. The Bluejays are allowing just 49.2 points per game in their 11 MVC wins, while opponents average 72 points in their five Valley losses.
Not Exactly
In each of the previous two seasons Creighton had exactly the same record in the first and second half of MVC play. Last year the Jays went 7-2 in each half after going 6-3 in each half of the 2007-08 season. This year, CU started 7-2, but is now 4-3 in the second half of Valley play. The Jays have not had a better second half of the MVC season than the first, since going 7-2 in 2002-03 season, after starting 6-3.
Neuvirth is Playing Games
Senior forward Megan Neuvirth had played in 120 consecutive games before missing Creighton's game with Evansville (Feb. 13) due to a sprained ankle. Neuvirth had started 55 consecutive games before needing to sit out because of injury. Neuvirth, who has played in 123 career games will tie the school record for games played (barring another missed game) in CU's first MVC tournament game. The CU record for games played is 126, set by Codi Walker (2001-05).
Live and Die by the Three
Creighton leads the MVC and ranks 23rd in the NCAA with 7.2 three-pointers per game on the year. The Jays have done considerably better from long range in wins than losses. CU is shooting 38.2 percent (138-361) from three-point range, an average of 8.6 threes per game, in wins. In losses, the Jays have made only 43-of-165 for 26.1 percent at an average of 4.8 per game.
The Worst (or best) Ever
Southern Illinois shot 21.7 percent (13-60) from the field against Creighton on Feb. 11, the lowest recorded field goal percentage by an opponent in Creighton history. The Salukis went the final 9:17 of the first half without a field goal and made just 5-of-27 (.185) shots in the first half.
New Lows
Creighton's point total in its 42-41 win marked the fewest points scored by the Jays under Jim Flanery and the fewest scored by the Jays since a 50-35 loss to Eastern Michigan on Dec. 21, 2000. The 42 points were the fewest scored in a Bluejay win since Creighton topped Doane College (Neb.) 40-23 on Feb. 21, 1977.
Woodard Hits 1,000
Kelsey Woodard became the 21st player in school history to reach the 1,000 career-point club with her 10 points against Southern Illinois (Feb. 11). Kelsey's older sister Kristi is also a member of the club – the second CU sister duo (Laura and Krissie Spanheimer) with more than 1,000 points. Woodard is the first junior to reach 1,000 career points at CU since Angie Janis did so in 2004-05.
Schuett's Shooting
Sam Schuett ranks 13th in the NCAA with her 87.8 free-throw percentage this season, while her career 83.1 free-throw percentage (182-219) ranks third in school history. She has missed just three free-throws in MVC play, shooting 47-of-50 (.940).
Schuett made exactly three three-pointers in five straight games (Jan. 29 - Feb. 13), making 15-of-32 (.469) from long range in that span. She leads the team with 48 three-pointers made this year and a 40.3 three-point field goal percentage. Her career three-point percentage of 38.2 ranks ninth in CU history.
Her 22 points in CU's 42-41 win over Evansville (Feb. 13) marked the first time a Bluejay had scored more than half of her team's points in a win since Christy Neneman poured in 39 in CU's 77-74 win over Drake in the 2002 MVC Tournament championship game.
Schuett Enjoys Streaking
Junior forward Sam Schuett scored in double figures in 15 straight games (Dec. 13 - Feb. 13), the longest streak by a Bluejay since Angie Janis scored 10+ in 20 straight games to open the 2004-05 season. Schuett also made exactly three three-pointers in five straight games (Jan. 29 - Feb. 13), the first Bluejay to make at least three three-pointers in five straight since Laura Spanheimer did so Dec. 1-16, 2002. Earlier this season Schuett established a school record by making 40 consecutive free-throw attempts.
Sam's Record FT Streak Ends
Junior forward Sam Schuett made a school-record 40 straight free-throw attempts between Dec. 13 and Jan. 29, missing her second attempt against Drake on Jan. 29. Her streak ranks third in league history, behind Katie Miller's (UNI, 2000) 53 and Indiana State's Kelsey Luna's 44, which was set earlier this year.
Neuvirth is the Only One
Megan Neuvirth is the only player in Creighton history with 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 200 steals in a career.
Block Party
Creighton hosted a block party against Evansville (Feb. 13), swatting a season-high 10 shots in its last home game. Kellie Nelson blocked a career-high five shots in the win, the first Bluejay with at least five blocks in a game since Megan Neuvirth had six against Colorado State on Dec. 21, 2008. The five blocks for Nelson are tied for fifth most in a game in school history (seventh time it has occurred). CU's 10 blocks were the most for the Jays since blocking 10 at South Dakota State on March 20, 2008.
Close Calls
The Bluejays notched their first one-point win since 2005, topping Evansville 42-41 (Feb. 13). The Jays are now 3-0 in games decided by five points or less this year and are 40-23 (.635) all-time under Jim Flanery in such situations. The one-point win was CU's first since a 79-78 triumph over Illinois State on Jan. 8, 2005. Since that win in 2005, the Jays had lost seven straight one-point games. The Jays are now 6-8 (.429) in one-point games under Flan.
Bluejays are No Bird Brains
Four of the 10 spots on CoSIDA's ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VII Teams were claimed by Bluejays when the teams were announced on Feb. 4. Juniors Kellie Nelson (3.88 GPA, Mathematics) and Sam Schuett (3.77 GPA, Accounting) were honored on the first team and senior Megan Neuvirth (3.36 GPA, Marketing) and junior Kelsey Woodard (3.79 GPA, Finance) were named to the second team. The Jays had never had more than two players honored in one season and never had two players on the first-team in one season. Becky Flynn (1996), Carrie Welle (1997, '98) and Dayna Finch (2004) were the only three previous first-team all-district honorees.
Schuett Joins the 100 3FG Club
Junior Sam Schuett drained her 100th career three-pointer in CU's game at Missouri State (Feb. 5), becoming the 15th player in school history to reach that mark. She now ranks 13th in CU history with 113 treys, joining Chevelle Herring (127) and Kelsey Woodard (184) as current Jays in the club.
Fifty-Fifty
Creighton has shot better than 50 percent in a game four times this season, winning each contest. The Jays have now won 12 consecutive games when shooting at least 50 percent from the field, dating to a loss at UALR to open the 2006-07 season. The Bluejays are 22-1 when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor under Jim Flanery.
Rebounding Record in Sight
With 882 career boards, Megan Neuvirth is still challenging to set the Creighton career rebounding record. Already in second place in CU history, she is currently 42 rebounds shy of the school record 924 set by Pam Gradoville.
Her 882 rebounds are tops among active MVC players and rank 13th in Valley history. She is 18 caroms shy of becoming the 12th player in league history with 900 rebounds in a career.
Whistle While You Work
Bradley was whistled for 32 fouls in Creighton's 63-57 loss on Jan. 22, parading the Bluejays to the line for 48 free-throw attempts – the most attempted by an MVC school this year. Creighton made a season-high 34 freebies, the most since making 31 on Jan. 1, 2001 against Wichita State. The 48 attempts were the most by the Jays since they set the MVC record with 56 attempts in that same WSU game.
Breaking Down the Percentages
In addition to its free-throw parade against Bradley (Jan. 22), Creighton logged season lows in field goal percentage (.227) and three-point percentage (.130). The Jays shot an identical 5-of-22 from the field in each half for a season-low 10 field goals made (the fewest field goals in the Jim Flanery era). Four of Creighton's starters had perfect nights at the free-throw line, combining to shoot 23-of-23 (Schuett and Neuvirth 8-for-8, Herring 4-for-4, Woodard 3-for-3), while Kellie Nelson attempted a career-high 14, but only made seven. Kelsey Crites went 3-for-9 at the free-throw line as the Jays shot 70.8 percent (34-48) at the stripe.
Do Call it a Comeback
Creighton trailed by 18 in the second half of its win over UNI on Jan. 24. The Jays were down 42-24 with 14:09 left, were down by 14 (48-34) with 8:17 remaining and were still down by double figures with 6:05 to play before closing the game on a 28-10 run to win 62-58. The comeback was the second-largest deficit overcome for a win under head coach Jim Flanery. (CU overcame a 19-point second-half deficit against Indiana State in the 2007 MVC Tournament). The win was also Creighton's only this year when trailing at the half.
Senior Citizens
Fifth-year seniors and roommates Megan Neuvirth and Chevelle Herring took control of Creighton's come-from-behind 62-58 win over UNI (Jan. 24). Neuvirth scored 15 of her game-high 20 points after halftime and Herring scoring all 12 of her points after the half. The duo accounted for seven of Creighton's final eight field goals and 19 of its final 23 points, to help the Bluejays overcome an 18-point second-half deficit and end the game on a 28-10 run. Herring's 12 points marked her highest scoring game in her last dozen, reaching double figures for the first time since Nov. 27. Neuvirth logged her third double-double of the year with 20 points and 10 rebounds, along with three steals.
Double the Double-Doubles
For the second time in their careers, Megan Neuvirth and Sam Schuett recorded a double-double in the same game on Jan. 24, doing so against Northern Iowa both times. Neuvirth had 10 rebounds and a team-high 20 points, while Schuett had 14 points and team-best 11 rebounds against UNI. The pair also logged double-doubles against UNI in Cedar Falls on Feb. 3, 2007. It marked the first pair of double-dimes in the same game for the Jays since Neuvirth and Kristina Voss turned the trick at Saint Louis on Nov. 25, 2008.
Good Losses?
Creighton lost its final three non-conference games, but each of the three opponents were ranked in the top 25. The average RPI of Creighton's four non-conference losses is currently 24.5 – Nebraska (3), Oklahoma (7), Kansas (36) and Marquette (52).
Bluejays Set School Record for FG%
Creighton shot a school record 64 percent from the field in their win over Wichita State (Jan. 7), surpassing the old mark of 63.9 percent set at Bradley on Jan. 24, 1994. The Bluejays made 32-of-50 shots, including 16-of-22 (.727) in the second-half of the record-setting performance. It proved to be Creighton's best shooting performance since shooting 63.2 percent from the field at Bradley on Feb. 8, 1996.
Largest Valley Win
Creighton's 89-48 win over Wichita State (Jan. 7) marked the largest winning margin in an MVC game in school history, besting the 37-point margin over Missouri State on Jan. 6, 2002. The margin was also the largest in any game under head coach Jim Flanery, just one game after the Jays notched their largest winning margin in a road game under Flan (+25 at Illinois State) – only to see that road winning margin topped at Evansville (+26) on Jan. 14.
Team Highs
Creighton established numerous season-highs in its 89-48 win over Wichita State (Jan. 7). The Jays had season highs in points (89), points in a half (45), field goals (32), assists (25), field goal percentage (.640) and three-point percentage (.583).
Winning Big
Creighton's 89-48 win over Wichita State (Jan. 7) was its largest MVC win in school history and the largest margin of victory under Jim Flanery. Two of Creighton's first three MVC road wins had the largest road winning margin by the Jays under Flanery. CU's first four MVC road wins over Illinois State, Wichita State, Evansville and Southern Illinois came by an average of 28.5 points per game, with none closer than 22 points.
No Longer Blue Herring
Chevelle Herring led the Bluejays 13 points per game last year, but ranks fifth on the team with 7.4 ppg this year. Before her 12 points against UNI (Jan. 24), Herring had gone 11 straight games without scoring in double figures – including two scoreless games – averaging 3.3 points per game in that span. She had not scored in double figures since scoring 10 points at UC Davis on Nov. 27. The senior guard now has 18 single-digit scoring games of CU's 26 contests this year, after she had 12 single-digit scoring games in 34 contests last year.
Defensive Lapse
Creighton allowed Missouri State to score 82 points on Jan. 9, the most points scored by a Bluejay opponent in more than two years. No Bluejay foe had reached 80 points in a game since Kansas scored 91 points on Nov. 27, 2007. The 82 points were the most scored by a Bluejay foe in MVC play since Indiana State's 89 points on Dec. 31, 2006 and the most scored by a Bluejay visitor since Wichita State had 83 (in a CU win) on Jan. 7, 2006.
Nelson Named MVC Player of the Week
Kellie Nelson was named the MVC Player of the Week and Scholar-Athlete of the Week on Jan. 18 after two career-high scoring games at Evansville (Jan. 14) and Southern Illinois (Jan. 16). The center scored 19 points at UE and followed with 24 points at SIU. For the week she made 17-of-20 (.850) shots from the field and averaged 21.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Neuvirth Returns After Missing Half
All Bluejay fans held their collective breath when Megan Neuvirth left the game at Evansville (Jan. 14) with about two minutes remaining in the first half, heading straight to the locker room with an apparent right knee injury. Neuvirth did not return to the court in the second half at UE. After a limited practice on Jan. 15 she was back in the lineup at Southern Illinois (Jan. 16), notching a double-double with 12 rebounds, 10 points and season-high six assists in 32 minutes.
Career Milestone Update
• Chevelle Herring became the 22nd player in CU history (3rd this year) to reach 1,000 career points, doing so at UNI (Feb. 21).
• Kelsey Woodard scored her 1,000 career point against Southern Illinois (Feb. 11), becoming the 21st player to reach that plateau. • She was the eighth player in school history to reach 150 career three-point field goals earlier this season, and has moved from eighth into fifth in CU history with 184 career triples, just three shy of fourth place.
• Sam Schuett recorded her 600th career rebound at Drake (Feb. 26).
• Schuett drained her 100th career three-pointer at Missouri State (Feb. 5), becoming the 15th player to reach that mark.
• Megan Neuvirth started the season ranked sixth in school history with 211 career steals, and now ranks fourth with 270 swipes (two from third).
• Neuvirth grabbed her 800th career rebound against Missouri State (Jan. 9), and now ranks second in CU history with 882 after starting the season ranked seventh with 714 boards.
• Neuvirth ranks 13th in MVC history with 882 rebounds, five shy of 12th place.
• Neuvirth became the 20th player in CU history to score 1,000 career points, doing so against Wichita State (Jan. 7) and she now ranks 16th in CU history in scoring, just eight points shy of 15th in school history.
The State of Basketball in Nebraska
Creighton's starting lineup in all but two of its games this year featured all Nebraska natives – the first time in recorded school history the Bluejays have started five home state players (in one game, let alone 16 straight to open the season). In fact, seven of CU's 10 players on this year's roster are from Nebraska – Bellevue natives Chevelle Herring (East) and Kelsey Woodard (West), Omaha products Jasmin Corbin (Millard West) Kellie Nelson (Westside) and Sam Schuett (Millard West), along with Katie Frank (South Sioux City) and Megan Neuvirth (West Point Central Catholic).
Neuvirth Reaches 1,000 Career Points
Senior forward Megan Neuvirth became the 20th player in school history to surpass 1,000 career points when she made a layup early in the second half against Wichita State (Jan. 7). She was the first new member of the 1,000-point club since Ally Thrall in 2008 and is now ranked 16th in school history with 1,165 career points.
Schuett Named MVC Player of the Week
Junior Sam Schuett enjoyed her return to MVC play for the first time in two years by being named MVC Player of the Week (Jan. 4) after averaging 17 points and nine rebounds in wins at Indiana State (Dec. 31) and Illinois State (Jan. 2) to open the MVC season. Against the Sycamores, Schuett scored a season-high 19 points and made a career-best five three-point field goals. At Illinois State she had 15 points and a career-best 14 rebounds for her second double-double of the season, eighth career.
Jays Allow Just 20 Rebounds
Creighton out-rebounded Wichita State 42-20 on Jan. 7, the largest rebounding margin by the Bluejays since they were plus-23 against Evansville on Feb. 17, 2008. Sam Schuett actually out-rebounded the Shockers in the first half 9-7, as WSU did not have a rebound until nearly six minutes into the contest. WSU's 20 boards were the fewest by an opponent under Jim Flanery and the fewest dating back to box scores through 1991-92.
Flan Likes Jan.
Head coach Jim Flanery went 6-2 in January, moving his record in the month to 46-18 (.719) all-time. It is by far his most successful month, as his next best winning percentage in a single month is .636 (March). Flan's all-time record in the other four months of the basketball season is 100-83 (.546).
Three For All
Of the Bluejays' 15 field goals at Indiana State (Dec. 31), 11 were three-pointers and they followed with 10 more at Illinois State. They have now posted back-to-back games with at least 10 three-pointers twice this year and six times under Jim Flanery. The Bluejays are 5-0 this year when making at least 10 three-pointers and 29-11 when making 10-plus threes under Flanery.
Jays Post Largest Road Wins Since 2002
Creighton's 25-point win (69-44) at Illinois State (Jan. 2) was the largest winning margin in a Bluejay road game since Jan. 14, 2002 and the largest under head coach Jim Flanery. That mark stood for 12 days, before the Jays won at Evansville (Jan. 14) 63-37 for a 26-point winning margin. The previous best road margin under Flan was a 23-point win at UC Irvine (80-57) on Dec. 20, 2002. The Jays did post a 27-point win against Stephen F. Austin on a neutral court in Nov. 2003. CU has logged 22 20-plus point victories under Flanery, including seven on the road.
Steady Chevy
Chevelle Herring had a solid four-assist, zero-turnover game for the Bluejays in their win at Illinois State (Jan. 2), marking the first time in her career she had more than two assists in a game with zero turnovers. It was also just the second time in her last 47 games she did not have a turnover and the sixth time in her career finishing without a turnover while playing at least 20 minutes.
Let's Be Frank
Senior forward Katie Frank earned her first career start at UC Davis on Nov. 27, after coming off the bench in her first 73 career games. She's been helpful this season, with 21 assists, including a career-best four against Wichita State (Jan. 7). She had 13 career assists in 69 games, before dishing 21 this year.
Bluejays & Bison Can't Beat Blizzard
The Christmas Blizzard that hit much of the midwest cost Creighton its final non-conference game of the season, as its game with North Dakota State on Dec. 28 was cancelled. The contest was called off when NDSU notified Creighton it was unable to get its players back to Fargo from Christmas break in time to make the trip down I-29 to Omaha. The teams were unable to find a suitable date to reschedule this year and the Bison will be put back on the Creighton home schedule next season. Fans with tickets to that game can redeem them for any home game this season.
Jensen Ties School Record
Freshman Ally Jensen tied a school record by making a three-point field goal in each of her first seven career games. The guard equalled the school mark established by Laura Spanheimer in 2001-02, before going 0-for-2 from long range at Kansas (Dec. 13).
Hot Starts
Creighton got off to one of its best starts under eighth-year head coach Jim Flanery this year. CU's 5-1 start was its best start through six games since the 2000-01 team opened 5-1. At 5-2, the Jays matched the 2002-03 team, which went on to open the year 9-2. Of the previous seven teams to open the season with at least four wins in their first five games, six have gone on to win at least 20 games.
Neuvirth's High-Scoring Double-Double
Megan Neuvirth grabbed her 14th career double-double, first of the season, at Nebraska (Dec. 9), finishing one point shy of a career-high with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Her 11 field goals and 21 field goal attempts were both career-highs.
Record Setting Day From Long Range
Creighton tied and set school records and tied an MVC record in its 63-61 overtime win at UC Davis on Nov. 27. The Bluejays unloaded a school-record 41 three-point attempts (surpassing the former mark by four), which also tied the MVC record set by Illinois State against Air Force on Nov. 26, 2003. CU tied the school record by making 16 three-pointers, originally done against Oral Roberts on Dec. 16, 1989. The 16 treys tie for the fourth-most ever by an MVC team.
More Three Info
In Creighton's record-tying effort against UC Davis, the Bluejays made 10-of-20 three-point shots in the first half alone. But it was after halftime they truly relied on the three-ball, as the Jays did not make any “two-point” field goals in the second half, all of their 15 points came from behind the arc and their only non-three-point field goal after halftime was Kelsey Woodard's game-winning, left-handed layup at the buzzer in overtime. Woodard finished 6-for-12 from three-point range, while Sam Schuett made four, Ally Jensen added three, Chevelle Herring had two and Megan Neuvirth had one triple to contribute to tying the school record.
Not Done With 3FG Notes Just Yet
Creighton's 55 three-pointers through its first five games were the most ever in a five-game span in school history. In addition to the school-record tying 16 triples at UC Davis (Nov. 27), the Bluejays also set a school record for three-pointers in a two-game span, draining 28 over its first two games this year – 13 against Arkansas State (Nov. 13) and 15 against Davidson (Nov. 15).
It's Raining Threes
Creighton made 28 three-pointers in its first two games of the season – setting a school record for three-pointers in a two-game span. The previous mark also came in the first two contests of a season, when the 2004-05 team drained 27 threes (14,13) in its first two games. The Jays have now made at least 10 three-pointers in a game 38 times under Jim Flanery (since 2002-03).
Cleaning the Glass
Creighton owned a 53-36 rebounding edge over Arkansas State (Nov. 13) in its season-opener, including an impressive 36-16 advantage in the first half. CU's 53 boards were its most in a regulation contest since nabbing 53 rebounds against Louisiana-Monroe on Dec. 10, 2005.
The 20-20-20 Precedent
Creighton has won at least 20 games in each of its previous two seasons. Taking a look at CU history, every time the Jays have won 20 games in a season, it has come in groups of at least three – winning at least 20 in three straight years (1985-87), four straight years (1991-94), three straight years (2002-04) and now two straight (2008-09) – setting a standard for this year's team to live up to.
Welcome to a Home!
Creighton's season-opener marked its first regular-season home game on campus since March 7, 1992 – an 81-69 win over Wyoming in the Vinardi Athletic Center (Old Gym). The 1991-92 team played four of its 14 home games at the Old Gym.
About the New Facility
Creighton will play all of its home games at the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena this year, a 75,600 square-foot facility which seats approximately 2,950 fans. In addition to the arena, the facility also includes a locker room, weight room and training room for the student-athletes and houses coaches' offices, meeting rooms, athletic staff offices, a media work room and much more. More information can be found on the facility in the first four pages of the 2009-10 Women's Basketball Media Guide.
Decade of Success
In the recently concluded decade, the Bluejays won 59.7 percent of their games, going 185-125. The only MVC team to win more last decade was Drake, with 191 wins and a 61.9 winning percentage.
Last Home Game of the 00's
Creighton's loss to No. 15 Oklahoma on Dec. 20 proved to be its final home game of the decade. The Jays enjoyed their most successful decade at home in school history, winning 101 of their 135 home games for a .748 winning percentage from 2000 to 2009.
Creighton Home Records by Decade
W L Pct.
1970s 30 12 .714
1980s 91 37 .711
1990s 93 35 .727
2000s 101 34 .748
Decade Breakdown
Creighton's 185 wins last decade were the most of any decade in school history, topping the 1990s 177 wins. The Jays posted a .595 winning percentage in the 00s compared to a .621 winning percentage in the 90s. See the chart below:
Bluejays by Decade
W L Pct.
2000s 185 125 .597
1990s 177 108 .621
1980s 151 132 .534
1970s 60 52 .536
Preseason Picks
The Bluejays have been picked as the preseason favorites in the MVC preseason poll as voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. CU received 34 of a possible 40 first-place votes and 393 of 400 points in the poll. This marks just the third time in 18 seasons as MVC members that the Jays are preseason favorites. CU was picked to win the title in 2002-03 and would go on to share the regular-season crown that year. The 1994-95 team was also picked first, but would finish fourth.
