Creighton University
1-1
South Dakota State
1-1
Bluejays' WBB Outlast South Dakota State, 88-81
11/18/2014 7:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BROOKINGS, S.D. - Powered by 28 points off the bench, the Creighton women's basketball team ended South Dakota State's 22-game home winning streak with an 88-81 win on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Although the Bluejays never trailed in the game, it was a fight to the finish as Creighton moved to to 1-1 on the season, while South Dakota State fell to 1-1.
Creighton got off to a quick 9-4 lead behind a traditional three-point play from sophomore Brianna Rollerson and three-pointers from sophomore MC McGrory as well as senior Sammy Jensen in the opening three minutes.
Junior Marissa Janning and sophomore Lauren Works continued the Bluejays' long distance dialing, and freshman Bailey Norby capped the early offense with her first collegiate bucket to make it 17-8 (12:19).
South Dakota State rallied back to pull within three at 20-17, but Creighton kept the Jackrabbits at bay. Leading 39-31 with just 1:28 remaining in the opening period, Janning delivered eight straight to send the Bluejays to the locker room with a 47-31 lead.
Throughout the second half the Jackrabbits made runs at Creighton's lead, but each time a different Bluejay stepped up. Holding just a five point lead (55-50) with just over 12 minutes remaining, Works knocked down a NBA distance trey as the shot clock expired.
“The team teases me because I like to stand out that far,” said Works through a smile. “I knew the shot clock was winding down and I gave it my best look, I'm just happy it went down.
Junior Taylor Johnson stopped the next Jackrabbit charge with a trey with 8:47 remaining to make it 67-57. The turning point in the game, however, may have come with 5:47 remaining as Janning fouled out. The ensuing SDSU free throws made it 70-68.
Rollerson returned to the floor with four fouls herself, knocking down two free throws. After a defensive stop, senior Alexis Akin-Otiko knocked down her first three-pointer of the season to make it 75-68 (4:55).
Over the next two minutes both Rollerson and Akin-Otiko joined Janning on the bench with five fouls, but freshman Sydney Lamberty stepped up with a trifecta to make it 80-70 (3:20) and McGrory knocked down five free throws down the stretch to salt the game away.
"This may have been the most complete team game I have ever coached," said head coach Jim Flanery. "I am so proud of the way we played tonight."
The Bluejays open their home schedule on Thursday, Nov. 20 against Utah at 7:05 pm.
