Creighton University
Minnesota State-Mankato (Exhibition)
31-3 Run Keys Women's Basketball Exhibition Win Over Minnesota State
11/5/2014 9:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. -- A 31-3 run to end the first half keyed the Creighton Women's Basketball team in an 85-68 victory over Minnesota State, in its lone exhibition game of 2014-15.
Creighton trailed by as much as 30-22 (7:22) in the first half before turning the game around with a game-changing 24-0 run over the next 2:45. After allowing a trey to MSU's Aubrey Davis, Creighton answered with the final seven points to take a 53-33 lead into the half.
Preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year Marissa Janning had 11 of her first half-high 12 points during the flurry, though Creighton also got baskets from Alexis Akin-Okito, Brianna Rollerson, Jade Owens, Lauren Works, MC McGrory and Taylor Johnson during the burst.
Creighton shot 64.3 percent in the first half, making 18-of-28 shots from the floor, and also sank 13-of-15 foul shots. The Bluejays led the rebound battle 16-11 at the break as well, paced by three caroms from Akin-Otiko.
Minnesota State fought valiantly in the second half. The Mavericks opened with a 23-11 run in the first eight-plus minutes to slice the deficit to 64-56 with 11:48 to play.
The Bluejays, however, pushed the lead back to 14 with a 10-4 run to put the game out of reach.
Creighton had four women in double-figures, led by Janning's16 and seven assists. Akin-Otiko had 15 points and nine rebounds, while Rollerson (12) and McGrory (12) paced a balanced attack. For the game, Creighton shot 46 percent (29-63), including 4-of-11 from three-point range (36.4 percent), and drained 23-of-29 at the line (79.3 percent).
Minnesota State was led by 13 points from Lexie Ulfers, while Ashley Olson (12), Aubrey Davis (11) and Claire Jordan (10) also reached double-figures.
Creighton starts regular-season play on Saturday, Nov. 15 with a 2:05 pm game at preseason Missouri Valley Conference favorite, Wichita State.
Minnesota State plays its second and final exhibition game when it hosts Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday at 5 pm.
NOTES: Minnesota State is a Division II school located in Mankato, Minn. The Mavericks were picked to finish third in the South Division of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference after returning nine letterwinners from a 23-6 team ... Jim Flanery improved to 18-0 in exhibition games as Creighton's head coach.
