Women's Basketball Heads to MVC Tournament
3/9/2010 11:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
State Farm MVC Tournament Notes • March 11-14
Creighton Bluejays at State Farm MVC Tournament
The Family Arena • St. Charles, Mo.
Radio: 1180 AM, www.koilam1180.com
Television: Semifinals and Championship on Fox Sports Midwest
Creighton Tournament Record: 17-16
Creighton Bluejays at State Farm MVC Tournament
The Family Arena • St. Charles, Mo.
Radio: 1180 AM, www.koilam1180.com
Television: Semifinals and Championship on Fox Sports Midwest
Creighton Tournament Record: 17-16
• All Creighton games at the tournament can be heard on KOIL AM 1180 in Omaha and online at www.koilam1180.com.
• Live stats for all games at the MVC Tournament can be found on the CU athletics website at www.gocreighton.com.
• Live video for Creighton's quarterfinal game can be found on www.mvc.org, while the semifinals and championship game will be televised live on Fox Sports Midwest.
• Creighton is 17-16 all-time at the MVC Tournament. The Bluejays have appeared in two of the past three championship games and are 1-4 all-time in the title game.
• CU is playing as the No. 2 seed in the tournament for the second straight season and fifth time overall. The Bluejays are 5-4 all-time as the No. 2 seed, reaching the title game in 1994 and 2009 as the second seed.
• In the past two years at the MVC Tournament, the Bluejays have shot a combined 31.5 percent from the field and 23.3 percent from three-point range. In five all-time games at The Family Arena, the Jays average 52.6 points per game, but allow only 48 points per game at this venue.
• Creighton enters the tournament leading the MVC in scoring defense (58.3) and three-pointers made per game (7.3).
• Jim Flanery coached in his 250th career game as head coach in CU's regular-season finale last Saturday. He is now 149-101, the most successful 250-game start of any coach in program history.
• Megan Neuvirth enters the MVC Tournament 25 rebounds shy of the school record. Her 899 career rebounds rank second in school history and 12th in Valley history.
Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton enters the MVC Tournament as the only Valley team on a winning streak, having won its final three games of the regular-season. The Bluejays are 18-9 on the season, finishing second in the MVC standings for the second straight season.
The Bluejays again played the strongest non-conference schedule in the MVC, facing three nationally-ranked Big 12 programs to conclude its pre-MVC schedule in December. Although Creighton posted a 5-4 non-conference record, CU's four losses came to teams with an average current RPI of 27.
Creighton logged an 11-3 record at home this season – its first in the brand new on-campus D.J. Sokol Arena inside the Wayne & Eileen Ryan Athletic Center. The Jays are 7-6 away from home this season, including an overtime win at Big West regular-season champion UC Davis and pair of losses to top-25 teams Nebraska and Kansas.
The Bluejays have benefitted from the return of junior forward Sam Schuett to the lineup. Schuett missed all of last season after an injury sidelined her in the preseason. She has returned to lead the Jays in rebounding (7.6), free-throw percentage (.851), 3FG percentage (.419), 3FG made (54), blocks (36) and double-doubles (6). Schuett also led the team with 14 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 13.8 points and 2.5 steals per game and tops all active MVC players in career rebounds (899) and steals (275). Neuvirth set a school record for rebounds in an MVC Tournament last year and owns the CU career record with 65 rebounds in her Valley postseason career. She owns the MVC record with 14 steals in one MVC tourney (2007) and owns the CU record with 22 career steals at the event.
Head Coach Jim Flanery
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 149-101 (.596). 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. The Bluejays are 7-7 in the MVC Tournament and 9-10 all-time in neutral site games under Flanery. Flanery is 30-16 (.652) all-time in March.
CU at the Tournament
The Bluejays are 17-16 all-time in the MVC Tournament, appearing in every tournament since joining the league in 1992-93. Last year the Bluejays went 2-1 as the No. 2 seed, losing to Evansville on a last-second field goal in the championship game.
• Creighton is the No. 2 seed for the second straight season and the fifth time overall. The Jays are 5-4 as the No. 2 seed, appearing as the second seed in 1993, 1994, 2004 and 2009. CU lost in the semifinals in 1993, lost in the championship game in 1994, dropped a quarterfinal contest in 2004 and lost the title game in 2009.
• Creighton is 9-7 in the MVC tournament in even numbered years (8-9 in odd years).
• CU is 14-11 at the tournament when the games are true neutral site contests. The Jays are 3-2 at The Family Arena.
• The Bluejays, who have never appeared in the title game in consecutive seasons, are 1-4 all-time in the MVC Tournament championship game, winning in 2002, but losing in 1994, 1999, 2007 and 2009.
• CU is 0-3 in overtime in the MVC Tourney – losing to SIU (1993), UE (1999) & DU (2007).
Career Numbers in the MVC Tourney
• Kelsey Woodard was named to the MVC All-Tournament team last year, after leading the Jays with 13.3 points per game. In her career she averages 10.2 points per game at the event, but has shot just 7-of-24 (.292) from three-point range in five MVC tourney games.
• Sam Schuett missed last year's postseason, but averages 10 points and 8.0 rebounds per game in five career tournament contests, shooting 40 percent from long range (6-15).
• Megan Neuvirth set an MVC record with 14 steals at the tournament as a freshman in 2007 and owns the school record with 22 career steals in the event. She also set a CU record with 30 rebounds last year and her 65 rebounds in eight tournament games is a school record. She averages 7.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.8 steals per MVC tournament game.
• Chevelle Herring was just 9-of-43 (.209) at the MVC Tournament last year and shoots 24.7 percent (18-73) from the field and averages 8.5 points in her eight career tourney games. She set a school record with 21 three-point attempts at the event last year.
• In 2009 Kelsey Crites started all three MVC Tournament games, averaging 6.0 points and 8.0 rebounds in 35 minutes per game. In her career she averages 5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game (better than her 4.4 ppg and 3.4 rpg career numbers).
• Kellie Nelson chips in 3.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per MVC Tournament game in five postseasons contests.
Here Last Year
Creighton advanced to the MVC Tournament championship game for the second time in three years in 2009. The Bluejays topped Wichita State 49-41 in the quarterfinals and took care of Drake, 53-35, in the semifinals – as DU managed to score the fewest points ever in an MVC Tourney game. The Jays then fell to ninth-seeded Evansville in the championship game, 47-45, when Amy Gallagher hit the game-winning shot with less then one second to play in regulation. The Bluejays averaged 49 points per game and allowed only 41 per game. CU shot just 32.5 percent from the field (53-163) and 22.9 percent (11-48) from three-point range last year. Kelsey Woodard led the team with 13.3 ppg and was named to the MVC All-Tournament team along with Megan Neuvirth (7.0 ppg, 10 rpg). Neuvirth set a school record with 30 rebounds in a tournament and a 10.0 rebounding average.
Flan in the Postseason
Head Coach Jim Flanery won his first MVC tournament game (70-54 over Illinois State in 2003), and is now 7-7 in the MVC Tournament. The Jays are 10-4 in the postseason WNIT under Flanery, including the WNIT Championship in 2004. Overall, Flanery's teams are 17-11 in postseason games (WNIT and MVC tournament), including two WNIT Final Four appearances and two appearances in the MVC Tournament title game.
Postseason Birth
Should Creighton capture its second MVC Tournament title this week, the Bluejays would earn their fourth NCAA Tournament birth. The Bluejays have played in the NCAA Tournament in 1992, 1994 and 2002. CU is 2-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. If the Bluejays do not win the Valley title, CU will likely earn an invite to the postseason WNIT. CU has played in seven WNITs – 1987, 1989, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009. The Jays are 12-6 all-time in the postseason WNIT, including a Final Four run in 2003 and the 2004 WNIT Championship.
The Case for Postseason Play
At 18-9 entering the MVC Tournament, the Bluejays appear poised to at least earn an invitation to the WNIT for the sixth time in the last eight years. The Bluejays enter the week with an RPI of 68 according to www.collegerpi.com (as of March 8). The Jays are 2-3 against the top 50 in the RPI, handing No. 46 Illinois State its only two MVC losses this year. CU played Nebraska (4), Oklahoma (7) and Kansas (40) in non-conference play. Marquette (56) is CU's other non-conference loss, putting the average RPI of CU's four non-conference losses at 27. CU's RPI is second in the MVC, trailing only Illinois State.
Looking for 20 Wins
With a pair of wins in St. Charles, the Bluejays would reach the 20 win plateau for the third straight season following two straight losing seasons. CU is in search of its fifth 20-win season in Jim Flanery's eight seasons at the helm. 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.
Not So Family-Friendly Arena
In five games all time at The Family Arena in St. Charles, site of this week's State Farm MVC Tournament, the Bluejays average just 52.6 points per game and have struggled to shoot the ball. The Jays are shooting just 31.5 percent from the field (91-289) and only 23.3 percent from three-point range (20-86) in their five games at the venue in the previous two seasons. Four of CU's five opponents have failed to score 50 points in St. Charles, as CU is holding opponents to only 48 points per game in the MVC Tournament over the past two years.
Turning Thirty
Should Creighton advance to the championship game, it will mark its 30th game of the season. The Bluejays are 9-1 in their previous 30th game of the season. See below:
30th Game of the Year
03-13-09 vs. Wichita State^ W, 49-41
03-14-08 vs. Missouri State^ W, 56-49
03-09-07 vs. Indiana State^ W, 69-65
03-21-04 at Washington* W, 74-69
03-20-03 at Maine* W, 74-67
03-09-02 vs. Drake^ W, 77-74
03-11-99 at Kansas State* L, 60-71
03-16-94 at Bowling Green! W, 84-73
03-14-92 at Utah^ W, 74-63
03-21-87 vs. Providence* W, 91-89
* WNIT; ^ Conference tournament; ! NCAA
Flanery's 250th
Jim Flanery served in his 250th game as head coach against Indiana State last Saturday. His record of 149-101 (.596) makes him the most successful women's basketball coach in school history through 250 games. Connie Yori (currently at Nebraska) posted a 145-105 (.580) mark through 250 games and Bruce Rasmussen (Creighton's current AD) was 136-114 (.544) in his first 250. All three coaches captured wins in their 250th game coached at Creighton.
Neuvirth Records Watch
• Megan Neuvirth will tie the school record for games played in a career when she takes the floor in the quarterfinals. It will be her 126th game played, tying Codi Walker's (2001-05) record.
• She enters the tournament just 25 rebounds shy of the CU career record. At 899 career rebounds she needs one more to become the 13th player in league history with 900 boards, beginning the tourney ranked 12th in MVC history in rebounds. Pam Gradoville (1984-88) owns the school record with 924 career rebounds.
• Neuvirth now ranks third in school history with 275 career steals (17 shy of second place) and is 15th in CU history with 1,205 points (45 shy of 14th place)
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 2-0 this year are now 30-16 (.652) all-time in March under Jim Flanery.
Undefeated Numbers (Entering Tourney)
• Creighton is 15-0 this season when holding opponents under 60 points.
• Creighton is 10-0 this season when shooting at least 40 percent from the field.
• Creighton is 10-0 this season when making at least eight three-pointers in a game.
• Creighton is 6-0 this season when scoring 70 or more points.
• Creighton is 4-0 this season in games decided by five points or less.
Neuvirth on a Roll
Since leaving Creighton's game with SIU early on Feb. 11 and missing the Evansville game on Feb. 13 because of a sprained ankle, Megan Neuvirth has been on fire. The senior closed the regular-season averaging 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game in her final five games. In fact, Neuvirth has scored in double figures in the last 14 games she has finished healthy. (Left games early against SIU on Feb. 11 and Evansville on Jan. 14 because of injury.)
100th On-Campus Game
Creighton played in its 100th recorded on-campus game last Saturday against Indiana State to wrap up an 11-3 campaign in its first season at the new D.J. Sokol Arena. The Jays are now 77-23 (.770) all-time in on-campus games.
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 this 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.
Herring Heats Up as Well
Senior guard Chevelle Herring led the Bluejays with 17 points at UNI (Feb. 21), her highest scoring game in MVC play this season. Part of her averaging 11.8 points per game in her last five contests, after averaging 6.7 points before that stretch. Herring also upped her field goal percentage, shooting 36.8 percent (21-of-57) from the field in her final five regular-season games, after shooting 25.9 percent from the floor in her first 22 games. The fifth-year player also dished a season-high six assists against Indiana State (March 6) to wrap up the regular-season.
Block Parties
Creighton hosted a pair of block parties in its final six 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.
That Just Happened
Sam Schuett was 47-of-50 from the free-throw line in MVC play prior to the regular-season finale against Indiana State (March 6). Then something strange happened, Schuett, who missed just three of her first 50 attempts at the line in 17 Valley games, missed her first three free-throw attempts against the Sycamores, before hitting her last two. She still led the team and finished sixth in Valley play, shooting 89.1 percent at the stripe.
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.
Live and Die by the Three
Creighton leads the MVC and ranks 24th in the NCAA with 7.3 three-pointers per game on the year. The Jays have done considerably better from long range in wins than losses. CU is shooting 38.3 percent (153-400) from three-point range, an average of 8.5 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 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). The Jays enter the tournament in need of just two more wins to meet this precedent.
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 Bluejays are now averaging 12.0 second-chance points per game, on 13.2 offensive rebounds per game. CU owns a 324-257 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 at Drake (Feb. 26), 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 77 swats, while Neuvirth is ninth with 75 blocks. Schuett has blocked at least two shots in seven of her last nine games this season and ranks fourth in the MVC in blocked shots with 36 this year – tied for the ninth-highest single season total in school history.
Fantastic Free-Throw Facts
Sam Schuett leads the team and ranks third in CU single-season history, shooting 85.1 percent at the free-throw line this year. That percentage ranks 32nd in the NCAA this week and her career 82.1 percent at the stripe ranks third in school history. Kelsey Woodard's career free-throw percentage of 84.2 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). After a 60-57 win over Illinois State (March 4), the Jays are now 4-0 in games decided by five points or less this year and are 41-23 (.641) 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.
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).
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.
Home is Where the Wins Are
The Bluejays have won 22 of their last 26 home games and are 83-27 (.755) at home under Jim Flanery. The Jays are now 7-23 (.770) all-time on-campus (11-3 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 322-120 (.729) 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 were out-rebounded in five of their last final eight MVC 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 that start, the Bluejays went 6-2 and have been out-rebounded by an average of 1.6 boards per game. CU was out-rebounded 42-26 at UNI (Feb. 21), its worst rebounding margin of the season.
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 ranks 32nd in the NCAA with her 85.1 free-throw percentage this season, while her career 82.1 free-throw percentage (184-224) ranks third in school history.
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 54 three-pointers made this year and a 41.9 three-point field goal percentage. Her career three-point percentage of 38.9 ranks sixth 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 119 treys, joining Chevelle Herring (129) and Kelsey Woodard (186) 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.
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 26.8 – Nebraska (4), Oklahoma (7), Kansas (40) and Marquette (56).
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. • 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 185 career triples, just one 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 third with 275 swipes.
• Neuvirth grabbed her 800th career rebound against Missouri State (Jan. 9), and now ranks second in CU history with 899 after starting the season ranked seventh with 714 boards.
• Neuvirth ranks 12th in MVC history with 899 rebounds.
• 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.
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 23 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.
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
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/ Women's BasketballCreighton VB Postgame Press Conference vs Butler 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Butler at #16 Creighton Volleyball Highlights - 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Creighton Women's Soccer Postgame vs. Marquette, 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Creighton Women's Soccer Highlights vs. Marquette, 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
