Creighton University
9-9 (2-5)
Providence
4-14 (1-6)
Lamberty's 18 in the Second, Leads WBB Past Friars, 65-54
1/16/2015 11:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PROVIDENCE, R. I. - Freshman Sydney Lamberty's 18 second-half points led Creighton to a 65-54 win over Providence on Friday, Jan. 16.
The win lifted the Bluejays to 9-9 overall and 2-5 in BIG EAST play, while Providence fell to 4-14 on the season and 1-6 in conference action.
Both teams struggled out of the gate with Providence holding an 8-7 lead with 11:38 remaining. Sophomore MC McGrory gave the Bluejays their first lead of the night with a trey from the right corner (11:09). Following a Friar three-pointer, the Bluejays' surge continued with a jumper by McGrory and a three-ball from senior Alexis Akin-Otiko to take a 15-11 edge with 8:35 left.
Providence, however, used a late rally to take a 28-27 lead into halftime.
Trailing 34-29 early in the second half, Lamberty came alive after draining a 24-foot three-pointer. The Minnesota native converted a traditional three-point play moments later to knot the game at 38-38 (15:50).
Following another five-point burst by Providence, Lamberty knocked down another trifecta followed by a layup and two free throws to give Creighton its first lead of the second half, 45-43 (12:59). The Bluejays did not trail again.
Up 50-48 with just over seven minutes left, seven straight points from senior Brianna Rollerson, Akin-Otiko and a triple from McGrory put the game away (57-48 with 4:56 left).
Lamberty's 18 points led all scorers, while McGrory finished with 15 points. Akin-Otiko delivered a double-double at 14 points as well as a career-high 13 rebounds, while Rollerson grabbed 10 rebounds.
Providence got 13 points from Chanise Baldwin, while Allegra Botteghi, Alexis Harris and Evi Iskola all finished with 10 points.
Creighton has the remainder of the weekend off, returning to action on Friday, Jan. 23 against DePaul at 8 p.m (CT). Like the win over Providence, Friday's game at DePaul will be carried on Fox Sports 1.
