Women's Basketball Tests Road Record at Missouri State & Wichita State
1/4/2012 11:03:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Bluejays Take 4-2 Road Record Into MVC Road Action
Game #13 • at Missouri State • Thursday, Jan. 5 • 7:05 pm
Game #14 • at Wichita State • Sunday, Jan. 8 • 2:05 pm
Game #13 • at Missouri State • Thursday, Jan. 5 • 7:05 pm
Game #14 • at Wichita State • Sunday, Jan. 8 • 2:05 pm
Creighton Bluejays (6-6, 0-1)
at Missouri State Lady Bears (8-4, 1-1)
Location: Springfield, Mo.
Arena: JQH Arena (11,000)
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Video | Live Stats
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Series History: MSU leads 29-16; MSU leads 19-3 in Springfield
Creighton Bluejays (6-7, 0-2)
at Wichita State Shockers (9-5, 3-0)
Location: Wichita, Kan.
Arena: Charles Koch Arena (10,502)
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Video | Live Stats
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Series History: CU leads 30-21; WSU leads 13-11 in Wichita
• Creighton is 13-6 all-time in its first MVC road game of the year, including wins in each of its last two road openers. CU is 5-4 in its first MVC road game of the season under Jim Flanery.
• Creighton is looking to avoid just its fifth 0-2 MVC start in school history. The Jays need one win on this road trip to avoid the second 0-3 start in program history (2006-07).
• Creighton concluded non-conference play with the top RPI (49) and strength of schedule (18) in the Missouri Valley Conference. The combined non-conference record of the five non-conference teams CU lost to was 52-4.
• Creighton has scored fewer than 60 points in six consecutive games for the first time since the 1981-82 season, averaging 49.8 points in its last six contests.
• Creighton has won more MVC games (105) since Jim Flanery took over in 2002-03 than any other Valley program.
• Jim Flanery will coach in his 300th game as a head coach against Wichita State on Sunday.
• Carli Tritz leads the team with 15.0 points, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game in Creighton's last five contests.
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 are ranked ninth in the MVC, averaging 57.8 points per game, their lowest scoring average since the 1981-82 season and are 10th in the MVC with 34.9 rebounds per game ... CU ranks second in the MVC in defense (57.7 opp. ppg) ... Two-time MVC Player of the Week sophomore Sarah Nelson leads the team with 13.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 19 steals, 10 blocks and four double-doubles ... Nelson leads the team and is second in the MVC, shooting 56.3 percent from the field ... Carli Tritz (12.9 ppg), the 2011 MVC Freshman of the Year, is averaging 15 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals in her last five games and she is CU's active career leader in leader in points, steals, assists, free throws and free-throw attempts ... ... Ally Jensen (9.1 ppg), is one of 16 players in school history with 100 career three-pointers and she leads the team with 23 threes this year.
Scouting the Lady Bears
Missouri State opened MVC play with a win at Bradley and loss at UNI last weekend … MSU is 8-4 on the year, including 4-1 at home … The Lady Bears lead the MVC and rank 35th in the NCAA in scoring, with 74.4 points per game … MSU also leads the league and ranks in the NCAA top 50 in field goal percentage (43.3), assists per game (16.9) and assist-turnover ratio (0.94) … The Bears are led by preseason MVC Player of the Year Casey Garrison who tops the team in scoring (19.1), rebounding (6.5), assists (4.7) and blocks (9 total) … Garrison leads the MVC in scoring and assists … Christiana Shorter (13.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) leads the team with 25 steals and 55.1 field-goal percentage.
Scouting the Shockers
Wichita State is 2-0 in the MVC for the first time since the 1998-99 season, which includes a 27-point win at reigning MVC champion UNI ... WSU entered its game with Drake on Thursday on a five-game winning streak ... The Shockers lead the MVC with 10.8 steals per game and are second in the league in FG percentage (43.2) and FG percent defense (37.4) ... Jessica Diamond leads WSU with 12.5 ppg, 37 assists and 16 three-pointers ... Preseason all-MVC forward Haleigh Lankster averages 12.3 ppg and leads WSU with 29 steals ... Reigning MVC Player of the Week Chynna Turner tops WSU with 7.6 rpg and averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds in her first two MVC games last week, making 12-of-13 (.923) from the field.
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 176-122 (.591). 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. Flan is 8-12 all-time against Missouri State and 17-4 against Wichita State
• Nyla Milleson (Kansas State, 1985) is in her fifth season at Missouri State and 12th year as a collegiate head coach. She is 75-65 at MSU and 260-101 as a head coach. Milleson guided Division II Drury to five NCAA Tournament appearances in seven seasons prior to moving across town to Missouri State.
• Jody Adams (Tennessee, 1994) is in her fourth year at Wichita State where she owns a 56-53 record. She's in her fifth year as a collegiate head coach after leading Murray State to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 with a 24-8 mark. Adams is a former UMKC and SIU assistant coach.
CU-MSU Series History
Missouri State leads the all-time series with Creighton 29-16, including a 19-3 advantage in Springfield and a 2-1 edge in JQH Arena. The Bluejays are 7-6 against Missouri State in their last 13 meetings, while the Lady Bears are 3-1 against the Jays in the last four match-ups.
CU-WSU Series History
Creighton leads the all-time series with Wichita State, 30-21. The Shockers won the last two meetings last year, defeating the Jays in the MVC Tournament. Prior to CU's loss at Wichita last year, the Bluejays had won 11 straight games in the series. The Jays are 11-13 all-time in Wichita. CU is 17-3 in its last 20 meetings with the Shockers. Jim Flanery is 17-4 overall against the Shockers, his most wins against any MVC opponent.
Individuals against Missouri State
Creighton's eight returning players have combined to score 63 points in 21 games against Missouri State, with Carli Tritz (29), Ally Jensen (14) and Sarah Nelson (11) accounting for 54 of those points. Tritz averaged 14.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game against MSU last year, shooting 11-of-22 from the field. Nelson had nine points, four rebounds and two blocks at MSU last year. Ally Jensen is 4-of-12 (.333) from 3-point range in four games against the Lady Bears.
Individuals against Wichita State
Carli Tritz averaged 14.7 points and 6.0 turnovers in three games against Wichita State last year, scoring 19 points vs. WSU in the MVC Tournament. Tritz made 13-of-16 (.813) free-throws against WSU last year. Sarah Nelson averages 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in her career vs. WSU, shooting 52.6 percent (10-19) from the field. DaNae Moore scored a season-high nine points against Wichita State as a freshman and sophomore and set a career-high with 12 rebounds vs. WSU as a freshman on Jan. 10, 2009. Ally Jensen is 2-of-15 (.133) on 3FG vs. WSU.
MVC Opening Information
• Creighton is in its 20th season as a member of the MVC (on the women's side). The Bluejays are 13-6 all-time in their first MVC road game of the year, including wins in each of their last two Valley road openers.
• CU is 5-4 in its first MVC road game of the season under Jim Flanery. The Jays have never played their first MVC road game of the season at MSU during Flanery's tenure.
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 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 third and Nebraska is ranked 19th in this week's AP poll.
Looking For O
Creighton's offense is in the midst of its worst slump in 30 years. The Bluejays, who rank ninth in the MVC in scoring, have failed to score more than 55 points in their last six games, averaging just 49.8 points per game and going 2-4 in that span. The 1981-82 Bluejays closed the year with nine straight sub-55 games. No team has gone more than six games without reaching 55 points since the 1977-78 team opened the year with nine straight game of less than 55 points.
Bench Numbers
Creighton's bench did not make a field goal and accounted for just two points in its 47-44 loss to Drake on Dec. 31. It marked the first time since a 50-48 overtime win over Wichita State on Jan. 29 last year that the bench did not make a field goal. The bench has twice scored a season-low two points in CU's last four games, and Bluejay reserves are averaging only 6.5 points in their last four games.
Keep the Pattern Alive
Creighton has started the year on a pattern they hope to keep up this weekend. The Jays have won two straight and then lost two straight all year long. The Bluejays hope to continue the 2W-2L-2W-2L-2W-2L pattern and avoid their first three-game losing streak of the year when they play at Missouri State. A CU road sweep this weekend would keep the pattern going.
Slow Starts
Creighton opened the MVC season with a loss for the seventh time in 20 tries last weekend. The Bluejays have started 0-2 in Valley action only four times previously – 1996-97, 2000-01, 2006-07 and 2008-09. Creighton will need a victory on this road trip to avoid only the second 0-3 start in program history. The 2006-07 team is the only one in program history to start MVC play with three straight defeats.
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.
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 since the 2002-03 season, the Bluejays were the only Valley team to eclipse 100 conference wins in the nine-year span of 2002-11. All 105 wins have come since Jim Flanery took over, making him just the seventh coach in league history to win 100 MVC games.
MVC Records Since 2002-03
(through Jan. 4)
School W-L Pct.
Creighton 105-58 .644
Northern Iowa 100-64 .610
Indiana State 99-65 .604
Illinois State 99-65 .604
Missouri State 92-72 .561
Drake 90-73 .552
Bradley 72-92 .439
Evansville 64-100 .390
Wichita State 56-108 .341
Southern Illinois 42-122 .256
Flan Makes History With 100th MVC Win
Head coach Jim Flanery won his 100th career MVC game against Wichita State on Jan. 29, 2011, becoming the seventh coach in league history to reach that milestone.
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 105 2002-pr.
Show-Me Staters
Missouri natives Jordan Garrison (Osceola) and Taylor Johnson (Platte City) will be playing in their home state on Thursday against the Lady Bears. For Johnson it will be her first collegiate game in her home state. Garrison, who is from just 65 miles north of Springfield, played five minutes at Missouri State last year.
Carli's Comeback
After a slow start to the season, Carli Tritz has re-emerged as Creighton's leading scorer over CU's last five games. Tritz is averaging 15.0 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 steals per game in her last give games. The sophomore guard has made 6-of-11 (.545) three-pointers in her last five games after starting the year 3-for-14 (.214) from long range. She also has at least three assists in her last five games to reclaim the team-lead with 33 assists on the year. Tritz tied her career-high with six steals against Drake (Dec. 31), her first game with more than two steals this year.
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.
Trail to Win
In five of Creighton's six 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 six of its wins and trailed at halftime in five of its six 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.
Home is Where the Wins Are
Creighton went 12-2 at D.J. Sokol Arena last year, and is now 26-8 (.765) at its new home. The Bluejays are 98-33 (.748) at home under Jim Flanery, including 64-18 (.780) in MVC play at home under Flanery, including a 15-4 (.789) league mark at D.J. Sokol Arena.
Defending D.J.
Creighton is 26-8 all-time their new home. In those 34 games, the Jays have allowed less than 60 points points 24 times and under 50 points nine times. Only one MVC opponent has scored more than 60 points in the last 14 games played in Omaha. Bluejay opponents are averaging just 56.0 points per game in the 34 games played inside D.J. Sokol Arena.
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 tied for 14th in school history with two-time MVC Player of the Year Christy Neneman at 102 career triples.
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. 102 Ally Jensen 2009-
102 Christy Neneman 2000-04
16. 101 Michelle Kaus 2005-09
Second Half Efforts
Creighton has proven to be a second-half team this season, averaging 7.7 more points per game in the second half than the first half. Take a look at the statistical breakdown between halves for Creighton.
Statistics 1st Half 2nd Half
Points/game 24.8 32.5
FG% .343 .425
3FG% .302 .347
Rebounds/game 16.2 18.3
Rebound margin -2.4 +1.7
Assists/game 5.3 7.2
Turnovers/game 9.3 7.8
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.
Ally Jensen Returns From Rib Injury
Junior Ally Jensen suffered an injured rib in Creighton's win over NC State (Nov. 27) and the injury forced her to miss a game for the first time in her career, sitting at Wyoming (Dec. 1). The guard appeared to be back in fine form against No. 3 Notre Dame (Dec. 4), leading the team with 12 points, while making 3-of-5 three-pointers. Jensen then scored a season-high 17 points, making 3-of-6 three-pointers in at win at UTSA on Dec. 20.
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 has now scored in double figures five times in 11 games played 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 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.
Garrison Returns to Form
Sophomore Jordan Garrison missed the first 12 games of her freshman season and played in just 16 due to a stress fracture in her left leg. The three-point sharp-shooter made 4-of-20 (.200) shots from long range in her 16 games played last year. Turn the page to this season and she has made 14-of-42 (.33) three-point shots in her first 11 games, which included her first career start against NC State (Nov. 27). Garrison made 3-of-5 threes for a career-best nine points against NC State.
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 176 10
Connie Yori 170 10
Gaye Kinnett 33 3
Eddye McClure 26 3
Howard Faber 11 1
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.
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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