Women's Basketball Travels to Kansas for WNIT Second Round
3/20/2010 4:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
WNIT SECOND ROUND
Game 32 at Kansas • Sunday, March 21 • 1:05 p.m.
Creighton Bluejays at Kansas Jayhawks
Allen Fieldhouse • Lawrence, Kan.
Radio: 1180 AM, www.koilam1180.com • Video: www.gocreighton.com
Series History: Kansas leads 20-12
Last Meeting: Kansas won 77-56, Dec. 13, 2009 in Lawrence
• The game can be heard on KOIL AM 1180 in Omaha and online at www.koilam1180.com. Brad Burwell and Rob Simms will call the action.
• Live stats for this game can be found on the CU athletics website at www.gocreighton.com.
• A free live video webcast is being offered for this game. More information is available at www.gocreighton.com.
• Creighton is appearing in the WNIT for the third consecutive season, sixth time in eight seasons under Jim Flanery and eighth time overall. CU is now 13-6 all-time in the postseason WNIT, 11-4 under Jim Flanery.
• The Bluejays won the 2004 WNIT and advanced to the 2003 WNIT Final Four.
• The Bluejays have won 20 games in three straight seasons and Jim Flanery now owns five 20-win seasons in his eight at the helm.
• Chevelle Herring has scored in double figures in a season-high five straight games and is averaging 11.9 points per game in CU's last nine contests.
• Megan Neuvirth has tied the Creighton career rebounding record, entering Sunday's game with 924 career boards.
• Creighton has lost six straight meetings with Kansas after winning five straight in the series. CU last won in Lawrence on Dec. 14, 2002.
Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton has won six of its last seven games, losing the MVC Tournament title game in the closing seconds for the second straight season last Sunday. The Bluejays are 21-10 on the year after finishing second in the MVC with a 13-5 mark.
Creighton posted 12-3 record at home this season, but is 7-6 in true road games, including 1-3 in non-conference road contests. The Bluejays again played the strongest non-conference schedule in the MVC, facing three nationally-ranked Big 12 programs to conclude their pre-MVC schedule.
Forwards Megan Neuvirth and Sam Schuett both earned first-team All-MVC honors this season, the first CU duo on the first-team since 2005. Neuvirth, also a member of the MVC All-Defensive Team for a third time, leads Creighton with 13.1 points and 2.2 steals per game and tops all active MVC players in career rebounds (924) and steals (278).
Schuett, who missed all of last season with an injury, has returned to lead the Jays in rebounding (7.6), free-throw percentage (.837), 3FG percentage (.408), 3FG made (60), blocks (38) and double-doubles (7). Schuett, one of three Bluejays on the MVC All-Tournament Team, led the squad with 14 points per game in MVC regular-season play.
Chevelle Herring and Kellie Nelson joined Schuett on the MVC All-Tournament Team last weekend. Neuvirth, Herring and Kelsey Woodard are the only trio in CU history to surpass 1,000 career points in the same season.
Scouting the Jayhawks
Kansas is 16-15 overall after starting the season 10-2 and spending the first nine weeks of the season ranked in the AP top 25 ... The Jayhawks tied for eighth in the Big 12 with a record of 5-11 ... KU is 12-5 at home this year, 9-0 at home in non-conference play ... KU lost its six games prior to an 82-70 win over Prairie View A&M in the WNIT first round ... KU has played down the stretch without two of its top players, losing first-team all-Big 12 guard Danielle McCray to a knee injury on Feb. 4 ... McCray was leading the team with 19.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 48 three-pointers at the time of her injury ... KU also lost freshman guard Angel Goodrich on Jan. 12. At the time of her injury, Goodrich was fourth in the NCAA with 7.1 assists per game ... Carolyn Davis is the active leading scorer for KU with 10.0 ppg, but she missed KU's first WNIT game due to a concussion ... Sade Morris, a career 1,000-point scorer, adds 9.9 points per game ... Aishah Sutherland leads KU with 7.3 boards per game and adds 9.7 ppg ... Krysten Boogaard scored a career-high 37 points in the WNIT first round and is one of seven KU players to score at least 20 points in a game this year ... KU ranks 16th in the NCAA, shooting 45.5 percent from the field.
Coaches
Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) is in his eighth season as head coach, where he has led his team to six WNIT postseason appearances and five 20-win seasons. He owns a career record of 152-102 (.598). 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 2-6 against Kansas and 8-22 against the Big 12. Bonnie Henrickson (St. Cloud State, 1986) is in her sixth season at Kansas, where she is 95-94. Prior to KU, Henrickson was head coach at Virginia Tech for seven seasons. She is 253-156 in her 13th season as a head coach.
CU-KU Series History
Kansas ranks behind Nebraska as the second-most played non-conference opponent in Creighton history, as the Jays and Jayhawks meet for the 33rd time on Sunday. CU trails the all-time series 12-20, including 5-12 all-time in Lawrence. KU has won the last six meetings overall, including last year in the WNIT and earlier this season 77-56, both in Lawrence. Prior to the current six-game skid against KU, the Jays had won five straight in the series. They last won in Lawrence on Dec. 14, 2002.
Last Time vs. Kansas
KU opened the game on a 25-8 run and rolled to a 77-56 win over Creighton on Dec. 13 in Lawrence – CU's worst loss of the season. Angel Goodrich turned in a career-high 20 points and added eight assists to lead KU. Kansas out-scored CU 18-2 in the first half on points off turnovers, forcing 14 first-half CU giveaways. The Jays trailed 43-25 at the half, but got within eight twice in the second half. Kellie Nelson led CU with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Kelsey Crites had a season-high 11 points for the Jays. CU went 2-for-12 from three-point range, both season lows.
Individuals vs. Kansas
• Sam Schuett averages 10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in her career against Kansas. She is 13-of-14 (.929) at the free-throw line and just 2-of-9 (.22) from three-point range vs. KU.
• Kellie Nelson had a team-high 14 points against KU in December and averages 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while hitting 15-of-30 (.500) shots from the field vs. KU.
• Megan Neuvirth averages 8.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game against Kansas, but is just 11-for-57 (.193) from the field and 1-for-11 (.091) from three-point range vs. the Jayhawks.
• Kelsey Crites has averaged 10.5 points per game in her last two meetings with KU, including a season-high 11 in December. In her career she averages 5.6 points and 3.8 boards against Kansas.
• Kelsey Woodard is 7-of-18 (.389) from three-point range and average 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against Kansas.
Battling the Big 12
Creighton went 1-3 against the Big 12 in the regular-season this year, topping Kansas State at home, losing on the road at Nebraska and Kansas and at home to Oklahoma. CU is now 8-22 against the Big 12 under Jim Flanery – Colorado 2-0; Iowa State 0-2; Kansas 2-6; Kansas State 2-4; Missouri 0-1; Nebraska 2-6; Oklahoma 0-2; Texas Tech 0-1.
MVC Perfect in the Postseason
Creighton helped the Missouri Valley Conference move to 5-0 in the 2010 women's basketball postseason with its win on Friday. Missouri State and Illinois State also won their first round WNIT games, while Wichita State and Bradley captured wins in the first round of the WBI (Women's Basketball Invitational). Northern Iowa takes on No. 1 seed Nebraska Sunday evening in the NCAA Tournament.
We're Back
Creighton, the 2004 postseason WNIT Champion, is appearing in the WNIT for the eighth time in school history, the sixth time since 2003 and for the third straight season. The Jays have won their first game in the WNIT five times in their previous seven appearances and been one-and-done twice. The Bluejays have won their last five home WNIT games and are now 5-1 at home in the WNIT. See results below.
Creighton in the WNIT (13-6)
3-19-10 Stephen F. Austin W, 76-65
3-23-09 at Kansas L, 64-79
3-21-09 UC Riverside W, 64-51
3-24-08 at Marquette L, 69-75 (OT)
3-20-08 at South Dakota State W, 76-69
3-18-05 at Iowa L, 52-67
3-30-04 UNLV W, 73-52
3-27-04 Richmond W, 81-72
3-24-04 Oregon State W, 74-64
3-21-04 at Washington W, 74-69
3-19-04 at Colorado State W, 79-68
3-31-03 Auburn L, 62-73
3-25-03 at Iowa W, 70-64
3-22-03 at Siena W, 96-86
3-20-03 at Maine W, 74-67
3-11-99 at Kansas State L, 60-71
3-21-87 Providence* W, 91-89
3-20-87 California* L, 82-86
3-19-87 Stephen F. Austin* W, 76-68
* at Amarillo, Texas; Home games in Bold
Bluejays in the WNIT
• As a team, all active players for the Bluejays have combined to shoot 41.6 percent (32-77) from three-point range in the WNIT over the past three seasons.
• Kelsey Woodard has clearly enjoyed playing in the WNIT during her career. In her first WNIT game as a freshman, she scored a career-high 29 points, making her first 10 field goal attempts, before finishing 11-of-14 from the field at South Dakota State. She averages 16.4 points per WNIT game and shoots an amazing 54.8 percent (17-31) from three-point range and 49.1 percent (28-57) from the floor.
• Megan Neuvirth poured in 24 points in CU's first round game against UC Riverside last year, making a career-high four three-pointers. She averages 10.8 points in the WNIT.
• Sam Schuett missed last year's WNIT and is averaging 9.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in three career WNIT games.
Flan in the Postseason
Head Coach Jim Flanery has now guided six of his first eight teams to the postseason WNIT and is now 11-4 in the WNIT . The Jays went 3-1 in the 2003 WNIT, advancing to the Final Four. In 2004, the Bluejays went 5-0 and captured the WNIT title. The 2005 Bluejays lost their first round game, while the 2008 team went 1-1 on the road in the event, falling to eventual champion Marquette in overtime in the second round after a come-from-behind win at South Dakota State in the first round. The Jays were again 1-1 in 2009, knocking off UC Riverside in the opening round, before losing at Kansas (eventual runner-up).
And the Winner Has ...
The winner of this game will advance to play the winner of Sunday's game between Illinois State at Purdue. The date, time and location of that game will be determined by the WNIT following the conclusion of the CU-KU game.
Megan's Rebounding Record
With six rebounds in Creighton's win over Stephen F. Austin on Friday Megan Neuvirth tied the Creighton career rebounding record of 924. She needs one more board to move past Pam Gradoville's mark which has stood since 1988. Neuvirth's 924 boards rank ninth in MVC history.
This is How a Heart Breaks
In three of the last four years and each of the last two, Creighton has come within one field goal of earning the MVC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, losing in the MVC Tournament championship game each time.
• 2010 MVC Championship – Creighton leads by eight, 53-45, with 7:46 to play but does not score a point for the remainder of the game. Northern Iowa ends the game on a 9-0 run, including a pair of free-throws after a foul away from the basket with 7.1 seconds remaining to win 54-53.
• 2009 MVC Championship – In a game that featured 11 lead changes, the final one came with 0.3 seconds left on the clock, as Evansville hit the game-winning shot to down the Bluejays 47-45.
• 2007 MVC Championship – Creighton held an 11-point second-half lead, only to fall behind by five before tying the game late. The Bluejays had two free-throws to take the lead with six seconds left in regulation, but missed them both and lost 65-64 in overtime on Drake's home floor.
The 20-20-20 Precedent ... Has Been Met
Creighton has won at least 20 games for a third straight season. In school 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 again in three straight (2008-10). The Bluejays have now won 20 games in five of Jim Flanery's eight seasons as head coach. Flanery's predecessor Connie Yori won 20 games three times in her 10 years as CU's head coach, while Bruce Rasmussen captured 20 wins in five of his 12 years leading the Bluejays.
March Happiness - Not Madness
Since 2001-02, the Bluejays have just one losing record in March – a 2-3 mark in 2007 despite a run to the MVC Tournament title game. Last year the Bluejays were 5-2 in March and at 5-1 this year are now 33-17 (.660) all-time in March under Jim Flanery.
I'll Take 3-Pointers for 200 Alex
Creighton has made 224 three-pointers this year, the third straight season CU has eclipsed 200 threes. The Jays have made at least 200 triples in five of Jim Flanery's eight seasons at the helm. Prior to Flanery's tenure, the Jays had made 200 three-pointers in a season just twice.
First-Team All-MVC
Megan Neuvirth and Sam Schuett were both named first-team all-MVC last week, the first CU duo on the team together since 2005. Neuvirth was the first Bluejay to repeat on the first-team since Angie Janis in 2005 and 2006. Neuvirth, the 2009 MVC Defensive Player of the Year and 2007 MVC Newcomer of the Year, also earned MVC All-Defensive Team honors for the third time in her career. It was the first MVC honor for Schuett since earning All-Freshman Team notice in 2007.
MVC All-Tournament Team
Chevelle Herring, Kellie Nelson and Sam Schuett were named to the MVC All-Tournament Team last weekend, as each averaged better than 11 points per game. Schuett led the team with 12.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while Herring added 12.3 points per game and Nelson averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. The three accolades means that CU's starting five this season have all earned MVC All-Tournament honors in their career – Kelsey Woodard and Megan Neuvirth were tabbed to the all-tournament team in 2009.
Nelson's Accuracy is Record-Setting
Kellie Nelson earned MVC All-Tournament honors last weekend due in large part to her shot-making abilities. Nelson went 15-for-19 from the field to shoot 78.9 percent in CU's three games. The percentage set a school record for a single MVC Tournament. The Bluejay center averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Jensen For Three (x6)
Ally Jensen established a career-high with 18 points in Creighton's MVC quarterfinal win over Drake (March 12). The freshman did so by going 6-for-12 from three-point range, including 3-for-3 in the second half. Her six treys were the most by a Bluejay in the MVC Tournament since current assistant coach Dayna Finch made a school-record eight against Indiana State in 2002. Her 12 attempts in an MVC Tournament game tied the school record share by Finch and Christy Neneman.
Records and Chart Climbing Info
• Megan Neuvirth has played in more games than any player in Creighton history, as she'll be appearing in the 130th game of her career on Sunday. The former record was 126, set by Codi Walker (2001-05).
• Neuvirth and Chevelle Herring also set a school record by playing in their 11th MVC Tournament game last Sunday. The duo also became the first two Bluejays to play in three Valley title games.
• Neuvirth now ranks third in school history with 278 career steals (14 shy of second place) and is 15th in CU history with 1,240 points (10 shy of 14th place).
• Neuvirth now ranks ninth in school history with 398 free-throw attempts and can move into 10th in free-throws made with four more makes.
• With 134 three-pointers, Herring is tied with Kristi Woodard for 10th in CU history.
• Kelsey Woodard now ranks fourth in school history with 192 career three-pointers.
• Sam Schuett has climbed into the CU career top-10 in rebounding, ranking 10th with 648 boards.
• With 235 rebounds this year, Schuett ranks ninth in single-season CU rebounding history. At 60 three-pointers, she is four shy of cracking the CU single-season top-10.
• Schuett's 38 blocked shots this season ranks eighth in single-season CU history.
Chevy Finishing Strong
Senior guard Chevelle Herring was named to the MVC All-Tournament team after averaging 12.3 points per game and hitting 12-of-28 (.429) shots from the field. She is CU's second-leading scorer in CU's last nine games, averaging 11.8 points in that span, after averaging 6.7 points before that stretch. Herring has upped her field goal percentage, shooting 39.4 percent (37-of-94) from the field in her last nine games, after shooting 25.9 percent from the floor in her first 22 games. She has scored in double figures in five straight games for the first time this season.
Undefeated Numbers
• Creighton is 13-0 this season when shooting at least 40 percent from the field.
• Creighton is 12-0 this season when making at least eight three-pointers in a game.
• Creighton is 8-0 this season when scoring 70 or more points.
Live and Die by the Three
The Bluejays made and attempted season-lows in three-pointers in their MVC championship game loss to UNI (March 14), going just 2-for-12 (.166) from long range – after also going 2-for-12 at KU on Dec. 13. Creighton still leads the MVC and ranks 27th in the NCAA with 7.2 three-pointers per game on the year, but the Jays have done considerably better from long range in wins than losses. CU is shooting 37.6 percent (179-476) from three-point range, an average of 8.5 threes per game, in wins. In losses, the Jays have made only 45-of-177 for 25.4 percent at an average of 4.5 per game.
Give Us a Second Chance
Creighton scored a season-high 23 second-chance points in its 77-57 win at Drake (Feb. 26), its most second-chance points in a game since scoring 29 at Kansas on Nov. 27, 2007. The Jays then scored a season-low two second-chance points in their 54-53 loss to UNI (March 14) in the MVC championship game. The Bluejays are now averaging 11.8 second-chance points per game, on 13.0 offensive rebounds per game. CU owns a 366-290 advantage in second-chance points this year.
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, while the same four Bluejays all earned spots on the MVC Scholar-Athlete teams announced last week. Juniors Kellie Nelson (3.88 GPA, Mathematics) and Sam Schuett (3.77 GPA, Accounting) were honored on the all-district first team and senior Megan Neuvirth (3.36 GPA, Marketing) and junior Kelsey Woodard (3.79 GPA, Finance) were named to the second team. Schuett was named first-team MVC Scholar-Athlete, while Neuvirth and Nelson were voted to the second team and Woodard earned honorable mention notice.
Block Parties
Creighton hosted a pair of block parties in its final six regular-season games, swatting a season-high 10 shots against Evansville (Feb. 13) and Indiana State (March 6). Kellie Nelson blocked a career-high five shots against UE, 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 against UE were the most for the Jays since blocking 10 at South Dakota State on March 20, 2008.
What's Happening Here?
Sam Schuett was 47-of-50 from the free-throw line in Creighton's first 17 MVC regular-season games, before going 2-for-5 against Indiana State (March 6) regular-season finale. A career 81.7 percent free-throw shooter, she is just 10-for-16 (.625) from the line in her last five games.
D, D, D, Defense
Creighton led the MVC, allowing just 56.2 points per game in league play. Seven of CU's 18 MVC opponents failed to score 50 points. The Bluejays allowed just 50.1 points per game in their 13 MVC wins, while opponents averaged 72 points in their five MVC losses.
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.
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.
Home is Where the Wins Are
The Bluejays have won 23 of their last 27 home games and are 84-27 (.757) at home under Jim Flanery. The Jays are now 78-23 (.772) all-time on-campus (12-3 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 323-120 (.729) recorded home record all-time at 12 different “home” sites.
At Home in The Valley
Creighton is 23-4 at home in MVC play since the start of the 2007-08 season, going 8-1 in both of the previous two seasons, before posting a 7-2 mark 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.
100th On-Campus Game
Creighton played in its 100th recorded on-campus game against Indiana State (March 6). The Bluejays are 12-3 in its first season at the new D.J. Sokol Arena. The Bluejays are now 78-23 (.772) all-time in on-campus games.
Happy Homecoming
Freshman Ally Jensen enjoyed playing just 30 miles from home at Drake (Feb. 26), as the Ames native poured in a then 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 CU history with 79 blocks and Neuvirth ranks ninth with 78 career blocked shots. Schuett blocked at least two shots in seven of her last nine regular-season games and ranks fourth in the MVC in blocked shots with 38 this year – the eighth-highest single season total in school history.
Fantastic Free-Throw Facts
Sam Schuett leads the team and ranks seventh in CU single-season history, shooting 83.7 percent at the free-throw line this year. Her career 81.7 percent at the stripe ranks third in school history. Kelsey Woodard's career free-throw percentage of 84.1 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.
Keep it under 70
Creighton leads the MVC in defense, allowing just 56.2 points per game in Valley play, but allowed better than 70 points in two straight losses, Feb. 19 & 21 – 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 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.
Close Calls
The Bluejays notched their first one-point win since 2005, topping Evansville 42-41 (Feb. 13). The Jays are now 5-1 in games decided by five points or less this year and are 42-24 (.636) 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 6-8 (.429) in one-point games under Flan.
The State of Basketball in Nebraska
Creighton's starting lineup in all but three 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 24). 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 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.
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 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 58 three-pointers made this year and a 40.8 three-point field goal percentage. Her career three-point percentage of 38.6 ranks eighth 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.
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 123 treys, joining Chevelle Herring (133) and Kelsey Woodard (190) as current Jays in the club.
Fifty-Fifty
Creighton has shot better than 50 percent in a game five times this season, winning each contest. The Jays have now won 13 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 23-1 when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor under Jim Flanery.
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 28.3 – Nebraska (4), Oklahoma (8), Kansas (43) and Marquette (58).
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.
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.
• 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 grabbed her 900th career rebound against Drake (March 12).
• 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 15th in CU history in scoring.
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.
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 6-0 this year when making at least 10 three-pointers and 30-11 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 27 assists, including a career-best four against Wichita State (Jan. 7). She had 13 career assists in 69 games, before dishing 27 this year. She has 20 assists and just two turnovers in 14 home games.
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.
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
