Creighton University
4-5
Nebraska
8-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| #12 Nebraska | 33 | 27 | 60 |
| Creighton | 17 | 40 | 57 |
Women's Hoops' Furious Comeback Falls Just Short to Nebraska, 60-57
12/11/2014 11:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. - The Creighton women's basketball team made a furious second-half comeback only to fall just short against intrastate rival Nebraska, 60-57, on Thursday, Dec. 11.
The Bluejays fell to 4-5 on the season with the loss, while Nebraska moved to 8-1 overall.
Trailing 33-17 at the half, Creighton began to claw its way back immediately as senior Alexis Akin-Otiko drained a three-ball. After a Nebraska turnover, Akin-Otiko pump faked a three to earn an easy layup to pull the Bluejays within 11 (33-22).
Down 37-24 with 15:54 left, Akin-Otiko connected from long range once more. On the defensive end Akin-Otiko blocked a shot by Nebraska's Brandi Jeffrey, then freshman Sydney Lamberty followed with a running layup to make it 37-29 (14:34). Another trey from Akin-Otiko moments later got the Bluejays within seven (39-32), but Nebraska was able to push its lead back to 14 points (47-33) with 8:16 remaining.
Once more the Bluejays answered with a 5-0 burst led by a three-pointer from Akin-Otiko. This time sophomore MC McGrory followed with a short jumper. The two teams went on to trade buckets, but Creighton got triples from junior Marissa Janning and McGrory to get back within seven at 53-46 (4:39).
Trailing 57-48 with just over three minutes left the Bluejays mounted one final run. Lamberty got things going via a layup from the left side, then Akin-Otiko knocked down her sixth trey of the night to make it 57-53.
A critical charging call went against the Bluejays to negate a bucket by Janning, but Creighton held on defense and got a bucket from Akin-Otiko to make it a one possession game at 57-55 (0:33).
Nebraska's Hallie Sample hit three of four free throws down the stretch, but the Bluejays had the look at a game-tying three in the closing seconds.
Early in the game it was all Nebraska as the Huskers held Creighton to 7-of-30 from the field in the opening 20 minutes to build the halftime edge.
Akin-Otiko led all scored with 23 points, while McGrory finished with 14 for Creighton.
Nebraska got 18 points and 11 rebounds from Emily Cady, while Rachel Theriot finished with 16 points and nine assists.
Creighton returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 14 as the Bluejays host former MVC rival Drake at 2:05 p.m.
