Creighton University
8-8, 1-4BE
Villanova
8-7, 3-1BE
Spirited Push at the End Falls Short for Women's Basketball, 65-61
1/9/2015 9:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. - Despite a spirited push over the final four minutes, the Creighton women's basketball fell to Villanova, 65-61.
The loss dropped the Bluejays to 8-8 on the season and 1-4 in the BIG EAST Conference. Villanova, meanwhile, moved to 8-7 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
The difference in the game was the opening four minutes of each half as the Wildcats built a 12-0 lead in the opening frame and scored the first seven of half number two.
Trailing 12-0 with 15:25 showing on the clock, Creighton responded with seven straight on a bucket by freshman Sydney Lamberty, a trey from senior Alexis Akin-Otiko and a driving layup from sophomore Lauren Works.
The Bluejays continued to claw their way back, pulling within a point (17-16) on a three-ball from junior Marissa Janning with 8:13 left. Creighton pulled within a point twice more in the first half, but Villanova held a 33-29 lead at the break.
The second half began just as the first had with Villanova creating separation. The Wildcats scored seven straight, pushing out to a 40-29 advantage. The Wildcats extended their lead to as much as 15 twice in the second half, including 61-46 (4:15).
Moving to a pressure defense the Bluejays closed the game on a 15-4 run. Janning got Creighton rolling with a a free throw followed by a driving layup. After a Villanova turnover near the end of the shot clock, sophomore Tessa Leytem drained a trey to make it 61-52. Back-to-back buckets from Janning and freshman Jade Owens made it 61-56 with 1:18 left.
Villanova worked the clock under a minute and got a layup from Emily Leer, but Janning responded with a traditional three-point play to make it 63-59.
After forcing another Wildcat turnover, Creighton got within a bucket at 63-61 on a jumper from Akin-Otiko with 14.6 seconds left.
The Wildcats, however, closed the door with two free throws from Alex Louin with 4.3 seconds left.
Akin-Otiko led the Bluejays with 17 points, while Janning finished with 15 points.
Villanova got 17 points from both Leer and Caroline Coyer.
Creighton returns to action on Sunday, Jan. 11 as the Bluejays host St. John's at 1:00 p.m.
