Women's Basketball Plays at Indiana State and Illinois State
1/18/2012 10:55:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Bluejays Face Sycamores & Redbirds on the Road
Game #17 • at Indiana State • Friday, Jan. 20 • 6:00 pm (CST)
Game #18 • at Illinois State • Sunday, Jan. 22 • 2:05 pm
Game #17 • at Indiana State • Friday, Jan. 20 • 6:00 pm (CST)
Game #18 • at Illinois State • Sunday, Jan. 22 • 2:05 pm
Creighton Bluejays (8-8, 2-3)
at Indiana State Sycamores (10-7, 4-1)
Location: Terre Haute, Ind.
Arena: Hulman Center (10,200)
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Video | Live Stats
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Series History: CU leads 31-12; CU leads 11-8 in Terre Haute
Creighton Bluejays (8-8, 2-3)
at Illinois State Redbirds (8-8, 3-2)
Location: Normal, Ill.
Arena: Redbird Arena (10,200)
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Video | Live Stats
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Series History: CU leads 28-15; ISU leads 12-8 in Normal
• Sarah Nelson is one of four Bluejays in the last decade to record 10+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game, following her 10-point, 11-rebound, 5-assist game vs. SIU.
• Carli Tritz has scored 10+ points in nine straight games entering this weekend. Only four Bluejays have 10-game streaks of 10+ points over the last decade.
• After Creighton was out-rebounded by an average of 11.7 boards per game through its first three MVC games, the Bluejays bounced back to post an average rebounding margin of plus-9.5 in wins over Evansville and SIU.
• Evansville scored only 33 points last Thursday, the fewest scored by a Bluejay opponent since Nebraska Wesleyan scored 31 in 1978.
• Creighton's 32-point margin of victory over Evansville last Thursday was its third-largest winning margin in MVC history.
• Creighton has swept the Indiana State–Illinois State road trip in two of the previous four seasons. If CU can sweep this weekend, Jim Flanery will tie Connie Yori for most MVC wins in school history and tie her for sixth in league history with 109 Valley victories.
Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton once again played the toughest non-conference schedule in the league, with its strength of schedule ranked 18th before the start of Valley play ... CU returns eight letterwinners and two starters from last year's team which finished 18-13, 12-6 (T-2nd) in the MVC ... Nine of CU's 12 roster spots are filled by underclassmen ... The Bluejays rank second in the MVC, allowing just 57.4 points per game and with a plus 1.4 turnover margin ... The Jays are ranked eighth in the MVC in offense (58.9 ppg), their lowest scoring average since the 1981-82 season and are 10th in the MVC with 35.2 rebounds per game ... Two-time MVC Player of the Week sophomore Sarah Nelson (12.8 ppg) leads the team with 7.3 rpg, 27 steals, 12 blocks and five double-doubles ... Nelson leads the team and is sixth in the MVC, shooting 51.7 percent from the field ... Carli Tritz (13.4 ppg) has scored at least 10 in her last nine games and is averaging 14.9 points, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals in her last nine games ... She is CU's active career leader in leader in points, steals, assists, free throws and free-throw attempts ... ... Ally Jensen (8.5 ppg) leads the team with 30 3FG this year and 109 in her career.
Scouting the Sycamores
Indiana State had a four-game MVC winning streak snapped in a 21-point loss at Bradley last week ... The Sycamores, who are 7-1 at home, have four players averaging better than 10 points per game, led by preseason all-MVC center Shannon Thomas (13.5) ... Thomas ranks second in the MVC with 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots per game ... Deja Mattox (11.5) tops the team, shooting 45 percent from 3-point range ... Anna Munn (10.9) is shooting 43.2 percent from long range and Brittany Schoen (10.4) leads ISU with 39 threes ... Mattox and Schoen are tied for the team-lead with 23 steals ... Jessica Valley comes off the bench to top the team with 48 assists, playing just 18.6 minutes per game..
Scouting the Redbirds
Illinois State is 5-2 at home this year, falling to Illinois and DePaul in Normal ... The Redbirds rank second in the NCAA and lead the MVC, shooting 40.9 percent from three-point range, averaging 6.9 threes per game ... ISU's 15.1 turnovers per game are the fewest in the MVC ... ISU has four players averaging at least 10 points, led by Katie Broadway's 15.3 ... Broadway tops the team with 44 threes ... Three-time MVC Newcomer of the Week Jamie Russell adds 12.1 ppg and leads ISU with 58 assists and 39 steals ... Marley Hall adds 10.8 ppg and 6.7 rpg, while Candace Sykes averages 10.1 ppg and 6.8 rpg while leading the MVC by shooting 54.5 percent from three-point range (24-44).
The Coaches
• Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) is in his 10th season as head coach at his alma mater, where he has led his team to seven WNIT postseason appearances and five 20-win seasons. He owns a career record of 178-124 (.589). One of seven coaches in MVC history with 100 league wins, he led the Bluejays to the 2004 WNIT Championship. He is the second-winningest coach in school history. Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade.
• Teri Moren (Purdue, 1992) is in her second season at Indiana State after serving three seasons as associate head coach at Georgia Tech She is 26-23 at Indiana State and 156-96 overall as a head coach. Moren previously served as head coach at Division II University of Indianapolis for seven seasons.
• Stephanie Glance (Rollins College, 1985) is in her second season as a collegiate head coach, owning a 32-19 record at Illinois State. She has worked under coaching legends Pat Summitt and Kay Yow. Glance was an assistant at Tennessee in 2009-10 following 15 years on the bench at North Carolina State, which included two stints as interim head coach during Yow's battles with cancer.
Creighton-Indiana State Series History
Creighton leads the all-time series with Indiana State, 31-12, including 11-8 in Terre Haute. CU has won five straight and eight of the last nine meetings with ISU after losing six straight in the series. The Bluejays have won their last two games at ISU and have won three of the last four games in Terre Haute.
Creighton-Illinois State Series History
Creighton is 28-15 all-time against Illinois State, with the Redbirds owning a 12-8 record over the Bluejays in Normal. CU has alternated wins and losses in Normal for the previous five seasons, losing 70-57 las year. The Jays have won four of the last five meetings and are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings with ISU. CU's 71-44 win over ISU in Omaha last year was the largest margin of victory in the series.
Individuals against Indiana State
Carli Tritz averages 15.5 points, 5.0 steals, 4.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game in her career against Indiana State. She had 18 points, 6 steals and 5 assists in Terre Haute last year. She also went 11-for-14 (.786) from the free-throw line against ISU. Sarah Nelson had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in Terre Haute last year and averaged 8.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game vs. ISU last year. DaNae Moore is 6-for-11 (.545) from the field in her career against the Sycamores. Ally Jensen made three 3FG in her MVC debut at Indiana State as a freshman and is 6-for-20 (.300) from long range in four games against ISU.
Individuals against Illinois State
Sarah Nelson poured in 17 points at Illinois State last year, making 7-of-10 shots from the field. She averaged 16 points and 5.0 rebounds vs. ISU last year and shot 13-of-18 (.722) from the field against the Redbirds. Carli Tritz had 10 points and 5 assists in CU's win over ISU last year, and averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds vs. the Redbirds. Jordan Garrison hit 2-of-3 threes against ISU in Omaha last year, while Ally Jensen is 3-for-10 (.300) from deep in four games against the Redbirds.
Flan's 100th Home Win
Creighton's 66-59 win over Southern Illinois last Saturday served as the 100th home win in head coach Jim Flanery's career. The Bluejays improved to 100-33 (.752) at home under Flanery, who is in his 10th season as CU's leader. The Jays are 28-8 (.778) inside D.J. Sokol Arena.
Flan Chasing MVC History
Head coach Jim Flanery is one of seven coaches in league history with 100 wins in conference play. If Creighton sweeps this road trip he will tie his predecessor Connie Yori for most MVC wins in school history and tie for sixth in league history.
Most MVC Coaching Wins (league games)
Name, School Wins Years
Cheryl Burnett, MSU 201 1988-02
Cindy Scott, SIU 199 1983-98
Jill Hutchison, ILS 170 1983-99
Tony DiCecco, UNI 117 1996-07
Lisa Bluder, DU 116 1991-00
Connie Yori, CU 109 1992-02
Jim Flanery, CU 107 2002-pr.
Tritz 10-Plus, 10-Straight?
Sophomore Carli Tritz enters the weekend having scored at least 10 points in her last nine games, the longest double figure scoring streak by a Bluejay since Sam Schuett scored 10+ in 15 straight games during the 2009-10 season. Only four players during the Jim Flanery era have put together 10 straight games of double-digit scoring – Laura Spanheimer, Angie Janis, Kristi Woodard and Schuett. No sophomore has performed the streak under Flanery – the last sophomore to score at least 10 points in 10 straight games was Christy Neneman during the 2001-02 season, the first of two straight years she won MVC Player of the Year honors.
10-Game Streaks of 10+ Points
Under Jim Flanery (since 2002-03)
Player, Yr. Streak Season
Angie Janis, Jr. 20 2004-05
Sam Schuett, Jr. 15 2009-10
Kristi Woodard, Jr. 15 2004-05
Angie Janis, Sr. 13 2005-06
Laura Spanheimer, Sr. 10 2004-05
Nelson Ratings
Sophomore Sarah Nelson logged her team-leading fifth double-double of the season against SIU last Saturday, leading the team with 11 rebounds to go along with 10 points and a career-high five assists. With those five helpers, she joined Megan Neuvirth, Laura Spanheimer and Christy Neneman as the only Bluejays since 2002-03 to log at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a game.
10+ Points, 10+ Rebounds, 5+ Assists
Under Jim Flanery (since 2002-03)
Player P-R-A Date, Opp.
C. Neneman 12-12-5 11-24-02, UMKC
L. Spanheimer 12-10-11 1-8-04, Ind. St.
L. Spanheimer 12-10-5 1-10-04, Ill. St.
L. Spanheimer 20-10-7 11-19-04, NW
L. Spanheimer 14-10-6 2-23-05, Bradley
M. Neuvirth 17-16-6 11-25-08, SLU
M. Neuvirth 18-14-5 12-21-08, Colo. St.
M. Neuvirth 10-12-6 1-16-10, SIU
S. Nelson 10-11-5 1-14-12, SIU
Bluejays Hit the Boards
Creighton snagged 50 rebounds in its win over SIU last Saturday, out-rebounding the Salukis 50-47. Sarah Nelson led the team with 11 boards, while three Jays tied or set a career-high for rebounds. McKenzie Fujan doubled her previous rebounding high, grabbing eight in the win. Alexis Akin-Otiko tied her career-best with seven boards. Sammy Jensen entered the game with three rebounds in 82 minutes played on the season before the 5-foot-5 freshman snagged a career-best five rebounds in 11 minutes against the Salukis.
Bluejays Win Big
Creighton cruised to a 65-33 win over Evansville on Jan. 12. Here a few numbers to highlight the win.
• The 33 points were the fewest scored by a Bluejay opponent since Nebraska Wesleyan scored 31 on Nov. 28, 1978.
• The 32-margin of victory was Creighton's largest of the season and the fifth time under Jim Flanery the Bluejays have won by at least 30 points. CU has twice defeated Wichita State by at least 30 points and owns large non-conference wins over North Dakota (+39) and Memphis (+33) under Flanery.
• The 32-margin of victory was the third-largest winning margin in MVC play under Flanery.
• The win marked the third straight season the Bluejays have beaten the Purple Aces by at least 26 points.
Largest MVC Winning Margins
Under Jim Flanery (since 2002-03)
Opponent Date Score Margin
Wichita State 1-7-10 89-48 41
Wichita State 1-4-08 83-47 36
Evansville 1-12-12 65-33 32
Missouri State 1-8-09 92-63 29
Illinois State 2-19-11 71-44 27
Evansville 1-6-11 81-55 26
Evansville 1-14-10 63-37 26
Special Night For Specialty Stats
In Creighton's 65-33 win over Evansville (Jan. 12), the Bluejays posted season-highs for bench points (29), points off turnovers (29) and second-chance points (17). In fact, in CU's three home MVC games, the Bluejays are outscoring their opponents 63-29 on points off turnovers, with a plus-15 differential against Drake (20-5) and Evansville (29-14).
Garrison Picks Spots, Hits Shots
Sophomore Jordan Garrison scored a career-high 11 points against Evansville (Jan. 12), making 4-of-5 shots from the field. She tied her career-high by making three three-pointers, finishing 3-for-4 from long range.
Kamphaus Kollects Karoms
Sophomore Alyssa Kamphaus more than doubled her previous career high with 11 rebounds against Evansville (Jan. 12). The center pulled down 11 boards and scored a season-high eight points, while also adding a career-high three assists in 17 minutes off the bench.
Stealing the Show
Creighton is averaging 9.2 steals per game in MVC play to rank second in league action. Carli Tritz has 12 steals in five conference games after she logged only nine steals in her 10 non-conference games. The Bluejays have posted at least 10 steals in four of their last six games, including 13 against Evansville (Jan. 12), led by Jasmin Corbin's career-high tying three swipes.
300
Jim Flanery coached in his 300th game as Creighton's head coach at Wichita State on Jan. 8. He joins Bruce Rasmussen as the only other coach in school history to reach 300 games as CU's leader. Rasmussen coached in 343 games in 12 seasons at Creighton, while Flan is now in his 10th season. Rasmussen, now Creighton's athletic director, was 160-140 (.533) after 300 games, while Flanery went 176-124 (.587) in his first 300 games at CU.
Carli's Accomplishments
Sophomore Carli Tritz has scored in double figures in each of Creighton's last nine games – the longest streak of her career. Tritz leads the Bluejays with 14.9 points, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game in that span. Tritz is shooting a team-best 48.1 percent from the field in her last nine games, after starting the season shooting just 32.3 percent from the field in her first six outings. Tritz tied her career-high with six steals against Drake on Dec. 31 and posted 12 steals in CU's first four MVC games.
Home is Where the Wins Are
Creighton went 12-2 at D.J. Sokol Arena last year, and is now 28-8 (.778) at its new home. The Bluejays are 100-33 (.752) at home under Jim Flanery, including 66-18 (.786) in MVC play at home under Flanery, including a 17-4 (.810) league mark at D.J. Sokol Arena.
Defending D.J.
Creighton is 28-8 all-time their new home. In those 36 games, the Jays have allowed less than 60 points points 26 times and under 50 points 10 times. Only one MVC opponent has scored more than 60 points in the last 16 games played in Omaha. Bluejay opponents are averaging just 55.2 points per game in the 35 games played inside D.J. Sokol Arena.
Best Non-Conference RPI & SOS in MVC
• As it annually does, Creighton again played the strongest non-conference schedule in the MVC. When non-conference play concluded, the Bluejays' strength of schedule (SOS) through Dec. 28 was 18. Only one other school in the MVC had an SOS in the top 100, as Illinois State's SOS was 39 before Valley play began. The average strength of schedule for the nine other MVC teams was 174 – or 156 spots lower than Creighton's.
• Creighton's league-leading RPI was 49 before MVC play began. The Jays were one of four MVC teams in the top 100, with Missouri State (63), Bradley (82) and Illinois State (97) joining them.
No Bad Non-Conference Losses
One reason for Creighton's high non-conference RPI and strength of schedule is the fact that the five teams Creighton lost to this year were a combined 52-4 in non-conference action. Colorado (11-0), Notre Dame (12-1), Nebraska (11-1), Kansas (11-1) and South Dakota (7-1) had impressive non-conference marks. Notre Dame is ranked second and Nebraska is ranked 15th in this week's AP poll.
On Top of the Valley
Creighton has won more MVC games in the last 10 seasons than any other program in the league. With 105 victories between 2002 and 2011, the Bluejays were the only Valley team to eclipse 100 conference wins in that nine-year span. CU has 107 wins in MVC play since Jim Flanery took over, making him the seventh coach in league history to win 100 MVC games.
MVC Records Since 2002-03
(through Jan. 18)
School W-L Pct.
Creighton 107-60 .641
Northern Iowa 103-65 .613
Indiana State 101-66 .605
Illinois State 100-67 .599
Missouri State 94-73 .563
Drake 92-75 .551
Bradley 74-94 .440
Evansville 65-103 .387
Wichita State 59-108 .353
Southern Illinois 42-126 .250
Trail to Win
In seven of Creighton's eight wins this year, the Bluejays have fallen behind in the opening minutes, only to come back and own a lead before halftime. Creighton never trailed in its win at Wyoming, has led at halftime in all eight of its wins and trailed at halftime in seven of its eight losses. A quick glance at CU's deficits overcome for wins this year:
• Nov. 11 at UND, CU trailed by 6 just 90 seconds into the game, but led 34-28 at halftime and won 72-54.
• Nov. 13 at NDSU, CU trailed by 8 six minutes into the game, but led 28-24 at halftime and won 71-51.
• Nov. 27 vs. NCST, CU trailed by 4 three minutes into the game, but led 33-30 at halftime and won 74-67.
• Dec. 18 vs. BGSU, CU trailed by 10 with 9:15 left in the first half, but led 26-25 at halftime and won 49-47.
• Dec. 20 at UTSA, CU trailed by 6, six minutes into the game, but led 23-18 at halftime and won 54-53.
• Jan. 12 vs. Evansville, CU trailed by 3, five minutes into the game, but led 29-17 at halftime and won 65-33.
• Jan. 14 vs. SIU, CU trailed by 8, five minutes into the game, but led 30-26 at halftime and won 66-59.
Alexis in Stitches
Alexis Akin-Otiko had an unfortunate ending to her best game since Nov. 13 at Missouri State on Jan. 5. The freshman scored 10 points, making all five of her field goal attempts in Creighton's game at MSU, scoring in double figures for the second time this season. The rookie left the game with 2:47 remaining after colliding head-on with Lady Bear star Casey Garrison. Akin-Otiko needed four stitches to repair a cut under her right eye, while Garrison suffered a broken nose in the collision.
Looking For the O in Omaha
The Bluejays went six straight games without reaching 60 points (Dec. 4-31) before scoring 60 in a loss at Missouri State on Jan. 5. That was the longest streak of sub-60 games since the 1981-82 team went nine straight games without getting 60 to end the year. Creighton's 58.9 points per game scoring average is its lowest since the 1981-82 team averaged 56.6 points per game on the season.
3-Point Streak Snapped
Creighton had made at least five three-pointers in its first 11 games this year before it made a season-low three and shot a season-low 15.8 percent (3-19) from long range against Drake on Dec. 31. The 11-straight games with five threes was CU's longest streak since making five threes in 12 straight games between Jan. 8 – Feb. 20, 2004. The Bluejays ended last season having made at least five three-pointers in their final eight games as the Jays set a school-record with 19 consecutive games with at least five threes.
Ally Jensen Joins the 100 3FG Club
Junior Ally Jensen became the 16th player in school history to reach 100 career three-pointers when she hit her third trey at UTSA on Dec. 20. Jensen is now ranked 14th in school history with 105 triples, recently passing two-time MVC Player of the Year Christy Neneman on the charts.
Creighton Career 3-Point Field Goals
1. 309 Kathy Halligan 1988-92
2. 294 Dayna Finch 2000-04
3. 261 Kelsey Woodard 2007-11
4. 250 Laura Spanheimer 2001-05
5. 187 Missy Miller 1992-96
6. 174 Holly Sivesind 1993-97
7. 169 Sam Schuett 2006-11
8. 154 Ally Thrall 2004-08
9. 151 Melissa Sanford 1989-92
10. 137 Krissie Spanheimer 1997-01
11. 134 Chevelle Herring 2005-10
134 Angela Timmons 1997-01
13. 132 Kristi Woodard 2002-06
14. 109 Ally Jensen 2009-
15. 102 Christy Neneman 2000-04
16. 101 Michelle Kaus 2005-09
Tritz Named All-Tournament
Carli Tritz was named to the UTSA Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team following her play at the event in San Antonio Dec. 20-21. Tritz scored 14 points against UTSA and followed with a game-high 18 points and five assists against Colorado to average 16 points per game at the tournament.
Concussions are Contagious?
Well no, but two Bluejay freshmen recently missed time with concussions. Taylor Johnson missed three games (Dec. 18-21) with concussions symptoms, due to a concussions suffered in practice the week before playing Bowling Green on Dec. 18. Sammy Jensen then suffered a concussion while taking a charge in Creighton's game at UTSA (Dec. 20). Both freshmen returned to action in Creighton's MVC opener.
Bluejays Lose Norman Again
For the second straight season Riley Norman will not appear in a regular-season game for the Bluejays. The Des Moines native suffered a torn ACL during preseason practices prior to her freshman year in 2010-11 and missed the year. The forward underwent surgery for a separate knee injury on Dec. 22 and will miss all of the 2011-12 season because of the injury.
Freshman Makes History
Taylor Johnson became the first freshman in school history to make at least four three-point field goals in consecutive games earlier this year when she drained four against both NC State (Nov. 27) and at Wyoming (Dec. 1). The rookie has found her shooting touch, as she has gone 11-of-27 (.407) from long range after starting her career 1-of-14 (.071) from beyond the arc. She was the first Bluejay to make at least four threes in consecutive games since Kelsey Woodard did so in the final two games of the 2008-09 season.
Road Winning
Creighton went 4-2 on the road in non-conference action this season after posting a combined 2-8 record in non-conference road games over its previous two seasons. Creighton captured its first winning record on the road in non-conference play since Jim Flanery's first season in 2002-03 when the Bluejays went 6-2 in non-conference road games (3-2 in the regular-season and 3-0 in the WNIT). The Jays were 2-2 in non-conference road games in 2004-05 and 4-4 on the non-con road in 2003-04.
Flan Schedules the Big Boys (or Girls)
Creighton played five games against teams from BCS conferences this season, continuing a trend head coach Jim Flanery started when he took over in 2002-03. The Bluejays have played 66 games against BCS schools in that span, 26 more than the next closest MVC school – Drake (40). Flanery's 19 wins against BCS schools in that span are nine more than the next closest MVC school in that span – Illinois State (10). In fact, Flan has more wins against BCS conference (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) schools since he took over than Bradley has games played (17) against BCS schools.
MVC vs. BCS since 2002-03
School Games Wins
Creighton 66 19
Illinois State 32 10
Drake 40 9
Missouri State 32 7
Indiana State 20 6
Northern Iowa 37 4
Wichita State 21 4
Evansville 20 3
Bradley 17 3
Southern Illinois 22 0
The Ally Way Doubles
Junior Ally Jensen scored 12 points against No. 3 Notre Dame (Dec. 4) for her fourth double-figure scoring game in her first six games played this year. She scored in double figures five times in her first 10 games this season after a season-high 17 points at UTSA on Dec. 20, after she scored in double figures just four times in 31 games all season.
Nelson: 2-Time MVC Player of the Week
Whatever the opposite of a sophomore slump is, Sarah Nelson is doing it. The sophomore was named the MVC Player of the Week twice in the first three weeks of the season, earning the honor on Nov. 28 following a week in which she averaged 16.5 points and 13.5 rebounds and set career-highs for rebounds and points in a game. Nelson turned in a career-high 17 rebounds against South Dakota (Nov. 22) and followed with a career-high 22 points against NC State (Nov. 27). She made 9-of-10 shots against the Wolfpack and to finish the week 14-of-20 (.700) from the field.
• Nelson also earned MVC Player of the Week honors after the opening week of the season when she averaged 14.5 points per game and made 12-of-16 shots (.750) from the field in road wins at North Dakota and North Dakota State.
• Nelson is the first Bluejay two be named MVC Player of the Week twice in one season since Megan Neuvirth in 2008-09.
• Nelson is the first Bluejay to be named MVC Player of the Week twice in the same month since Christy Neneman in February 2002.
• Nelson scored in double figures in her first six games this year after never scoring 10+ in consecutive games at all as a freshman.
Tritz Scores Career-High 23 at Kansas
Sophomore Carli Tritz poured in a career-high 23 points at Kansas on Nov. 16, also setting career-high marks by going 9-for-18 from the field. Her previous career best of 21 points also came against a Big 12 school, scoring 21 against Nebraska at home last year.
Tritz Reaches 400 Points Rapidly
With 13 points against South Dakota (Nov. 22), sophomore Carli Tritz eclipsed 400 career points in just her 35th career game. She became the fastest Bluejay to reach 400 points since Becky Flynn scored her 400th career point in her first game as a sophomore in 1993. Flynn reached 400 points in her 29th career game. If you're curious about other recent Bluejays to quickly reach 400 – Christy Neneman (37), Kelsey Woodard (38) and Laura Spanheimer (39) – were all edged out by Tritz.
Double-Double-Double
Sarah Nelson posted back-to-back double-doubles against South Dakota (Nov. 22) and NC State (Nov. 27). Nelson is the first Bluejay to post consecutive double-doubles since Sam Schuett did so on Jan. 2 & 7, 2010. The sophomore has three double-doubles on the year after logging just one double-dime all of last season.
Nelson Grabs 17 Rebounds
Sarah Nelson had the best rebounding game by a Bluejay since 2003 on Nov. 22 when she pulled down 17 rebounds against South Dakota. The 17 boards were not only a career-high, but they were also a D.J. Sokol Arena record. The 17 caroms were the most by a Bluejay since two-time MVC Player of the Year Christy Neneman snagged 17 rebounds against Indiana State on Feb. 27, 2003. The 17 rebounds are tied for the 10th-most in a single game in school history.
3s by the Dozen
Creighton made a season-high 12 three-pointer in its 74-67 win over NC State (Nov. 27). The game marked the 20th time under Jim Flanery the Bluejays have made at least 12 triples in one game, moving Creighton's record to 16-4 (.800) under Flan when making at least 12 threes. The Jays are now 33-11 (.750) under Flan when making 10 or more three-pointers in a game.
Career Highs All Around
The Bluejays had four players score career-high point totals in their 74-67 win over NC State (Nov. 27), led by Sarah Nelson's 22 points. Taylor Johnson entered the NC State game with 13 points scored in her first four collegiate games before snapping out of her shooting funk by hitting 4-of-10 three-pointers and finishing with 15 points. Junior Jasmin Corbin scored a career-high nine points, making a career-best 6-of-6 free throws, and sophomore Jordan Garrison finished with a then career-high nine points by making 3-of-5 three-pointers in her first career start. Junior Ally Jensen dished a career-high seven assists – three more than her previous career-best – while she also equalled her career-high with six rebounds against the Wolfpack.
Not So Rocky Road
The Bluejays won their first two road games of the season for the first time since 1995. Creighton opened the season with consecutive road wins in its first two games for the first time in school history. Prior to its 72-54 win at North Dakota to open the year, Creighton had not won its first road game of the season since 1999 and had not won a season-opener on the road since 1998.
Bluejays Blowout Bison
Creighton blasted North Dakota State 71-51 on Nov. 13, the Bluejays' first 20-point non-conference road win since a 78-56 win at Colorado State on Nov. 24, 2007. It marked just the third non-conference road win of at least 20 points under head coach Jim Flanery, with the first coming on Dec. 20, 2002 – 80-57 at UC Irvine.
Flan's Movement
Creighton opened the season with a 72-54 win at North Dakota, earning head coach Jim Flanery his 171st career victory. That win moved him ahead of his predecessor Connie Yori (170) alone into second place on the CU career victories chart. He now trails only Bruce Rasmussen's (currently Creighton's AD) 196 wins for tops in school history.
Creighton Coaching Wins
Name Wins Seasons
Bruce Rasmussen 196 12
Jim Flanery 178 10
Connie Yori 170 10
Gaye Kinnett 33 3
Eddye McClure 26 3
Howard Faber 11 1
Preseason Picks
The Bluejays have been picked to finish fourth in the MVC preseason poll as voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. Sophomore Carli Tritz was named to the five-member preseason all-MVC team after her outstanding freshman campaign. Missouri State captured 36 first-place votes and are the preseason favorites, while UNI received the remaining four votes and is picked to finish second. Wichita State is the only other team picked above Creighton this year.
We're Still Young
One season after half of the roster was made up of freshmen, the 2011-12 roster consists of 12 players, nine of which are underclassmen. The Bluejays have one senior (DaNae Moore), two juniors, five sophomores, three true freshmen and one redshirt freshman on the roster.
Creighton's Sister Act Continues
One of the three freshmen on this year's team is Sammy Jensen, the younger sister of junior Ally Jensen, continuing the recent trend of sisters playing for the Bluejays. Last year, Kellie and Sarah Nelson played alongside each other. Before the Nelson's played together, the last recorded sister duo to play on the same Bluejay basketball squad was Peggy and Patty Bierle during the 1978-79 season. Kelsey Woodard (2007-11) followed older sister Kristi (2002-06) and Laura Spanheimer (2001-05) followed in the steps of her older sister Krissie (1997-01) to solidify this basketball program as true family environment.
Nebraska Natives
Five of Creighton's 12 players on this year's roster are from Nebraska – Omaha products Jasmin Corbin (Millard West) and Sarah Nelson (Westside), Seward High graduate Alyssa Kamphaus, Wahoo Bishop Neumann product McKenzie Fujan and Alexis Akin-Otiko out of Bellevue West.
The Bellevue Bloodline
Freshman Alexis Akin-Otiko continues a trend at Creighton which began in 2002-03. Akin-Otiko attended Bellevue West, following in the footsteps of former Bluejays and fellow Bellevue West Thunderbirds Kristi and Kelsey Woodard. Kristi played for the Jays from 2002-06 and Kelsey played from 2007-11, meaning one T-Bird has been on the roster every year since 2002-03 – with the exception of 2006-07. CU has had at least one player from Bellevue on the roster every season for the last decade, as Chevelle Herring, a Bellevue East product, played from 2005-10.
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/ Women's BasketballCreighton Volleyball Media Availability - 12/12/25
Friday, December 12
Kentucky Volleyball Media Availability - 12/12/25
Friday, December 12
Creighton WBB Preview: Kansas State & Omaha
Friday, December 12
Arizona State Volleyball Press Conference After Creighton Match - 12/11/25
Thursday, December 11
