Women's Basketball Continues Homestand Against Omaha and Kansas
12/19/2014 12:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Creighton's women's basketball will broadcast on KZOT 1180 AM, KOZN 1620 AM or 1290 KOIL AM throughout the 2014-15 season.
Creighton and Omaha first met in 1973 and have played 25 times overall. Omaha holds the all-time series edge, 16-9. The Mavericks also hold the edge at Creighton, 7-5. The Bluejays, however, have won the last eight meetings between the two squads.
The last game in the series was in 1988, a 71-67 Creighton win on Nov. 29, 1988.
Creighton and Kansas first met in 1980 and have played 37 times overall. Kansas holds the all-time series edge, 25-12. The Jayhawks also hold the edge at Creighton, 10-7. Kansas has won the last 11 meetings between the two squads.
The Mavericks have been a team searching for the right mix through 10 games. Eight different players have started at least three games this season, with only two starting all 10.
The two constants in Omana's starting lineup are the Mavericks leading scorers, Mikaela Shaw and Brianna Bogard.
Shaw is averaging a double-double with 12.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest. Listed as a guard Shaw stands 6'0'' and is more of a stretch forward.
Bogard has delivered 17 points in each of the past two games, shooting 5-of-12 (41.7%) over that stretch.
Omaha will be playing just its fourth road game of the season on Saturday. In addition the Mavericks roster will see the addition of Bobbi Beckwith, who first game of eligibilty is against the Bluejays.
Keys to the Game w/Omaha:
- Force the Mavericks to get careless: Omaha has committed 173 turnovers (17.3 per game) this season. The extra possessions for the Bluejays should translate to easy offense.
- Limit Shaw on the glass: Over 25% of Omaha's rebounds come from Shaw. Creighton must contain her on the glass.
- Take advantage of the three-ball: Omaha has hit just 49 treys this season (4.9 per game), while Creighton is averaging nine. That margin should grow playing on the Bluejays home court.
Scouting Kansas (8-3)
After finishing a disappointing 2013-14 season with just 13 victories (13-19), Kansas has opened this season with eight wins in its first 11 games.
Like Omaha, the Jayhawks have played at home for the majority of the season, dropping their only road game at Purdue (61-48) on Dec. 11. Kansas, however, looked impressive in a 62-39 win over California on Dec. 7.
The Jayhawks are led by seniors Chelsea Gardner (17.6 ppg) and Natalie Knight (11.8 ppg) as well as sophomore Asia Boyd (10.0 ppg). Gardner gives Kansas a strong post presence, averaging 7.7 rebounds per game.
The Jayhawks last game was on Dec. 14 and do not play until the game with the Bluejays on Dec. 22.
Keys to the Game w/Kansas:
- Getting off to a Strong Start: Having played Omaha on Dec. 20, the Bluejays must take advantage of any rust that Kansas shows from eight days off.
- Get loose from beyond the arc: Last season in Kansas the Jayhawks were just 2-of-7 from beyond the arc. Creighton, meanwhile, hit seven treys in a 74-66 loss.
- Contain Gardner: Chelsea had 24 points and eight rebounds against Creighton last season. She put up similar number in the Jayhawks win over Cal earlier this season.
Creighton and UNO, More than Just Neighbors
The Bluejays and Mavericks share much more than simply being neighbors in the Omaha area.
- Omaha head coach Brittany Lange played at Creighton under Jim Flanery during the 2005-06 season.
- Creighton senior Sammy Jensen is engaged to Omaha's Madi Robson's brother Casey.
- Creighton and Omaha both broadcast WBB games with NRG Media (1620, 1180 & 1290). Saturday's game will be carried on 1180 (Creighton broadcast) and 1290 (Omaha broadcast).
Lamberty Picked up Her Second BIG EAST Freshman of the Week Honor
Freshman Sydney Lamberty liked being the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week so much, she decided to keep the title a second week. Lamberty earned the honor for the second consecutive week on Monday, Dec. 15.
Lamberty averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in a 2-1 week for the Bluejays, with the lone setback being a narrow 60-57 loss to nationally ranked Nebraska. The rookie started all three games for Creighton, with her 14 points and 11 rebounds against Northern Iowa being team highs. She went on to notch a career-high 17 in the win over Drake on Dec. 14.
Lamberty's assist average led the Bluejays last week, while her rebounding mark was tied for the lead and her point total ranked third. She shot .441 from the floor, including a .400 clip from deep. She is the first player this season to be named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week in back-to-back weeks.
Janning Got Her Groove Back
After scoring a combined 14 points against Northern Iowa and #12 Nebraska in the first two games of the week, Marissa Janning dropped 30 points on Drake in Creighton's 93-71 win on Dec. 14. It was the third time in Janning's career that she has scored 30 or more points.
Lets Take a Step Back
Ten games into the 2014-15 season, the Bluejays are shooting 40.2% (247-of-614) from the field and 40.0% (90-of-225) from beyond the three-point line. Inside the arc Creighton is 157-of-389 (40.4%).
Individual four Bluejays are better outside the arc as Janning, Lamberty, Taylor Johnson and Sammy Jensen shoot a higher percentage from long range.
