Creighton University
15-11 (8-7BE)
DePaul
21-7 (13-3BE)
Women's Basketball's Comeback Falls Just Short Against DePaul, 78-76
2/20/2015 10:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OMAHA, Neb. - Trailing by as much as 10 points with just under seven minutes remaining, the Creighton women's basketball got within two points in the final minute but fell to DePaul, 78-76, on Friday, Feb. 20.
The loss ended Creighton's six-game winning streak, dropping the Bluejays to 15-11 on the season and 8-7 in BIG EAST play. DePaul, meanwhile, moved to 21-7 overall and 13-3 in conference play.
Trailing 67-57 following a three-pointer from DePaul's Brittany Hrynko with 6:30 left, the Bluejays responded with five straight on a driving layup from freshman Sydney Lamberty and a trifecta from junior Marissa Janning to make it 67-62 (5:29).
Over the next two minute of play the two squads matched each other bucket for bucket with DePaul holding a 76-69 edge with 3:28 left. Senior Alexis Akin-Otiko pulled the Bluejays back with a layup, then Creighton forced a turnover leading to another easy bucket for Akin-Otiko.
Down just 76-73 with 2:26 remaining the Bluejays forced another DePaul turnover. This time, however, Akin-Otiko's 14-foot jumper bounced off the front of the rim. The Blue Demons got their final bucket from Megan Podkowa with 1:24 showing on the clock.
Once more Akin-Otiko rallied her team, converting a traditional three-point play to make it 78-76 with 44 seconds remaining.
DePaul worked the clock down to 15 seconds, then grabbed an offensive rebound to seemingly end the game. The Bluejays, though, had one last gasp sending Jessica January to the free-throw line with five seconds.
January missed the front end of the one-and-one, giving Creighton a chance. Sophomore MC McGrory fielded a pass from Lamberty and tried to recreate the magic of her game-tying shot against Kansas on Dec. 22. This time McGrory's heave as time expired bounced off the back of the rim and trickled off.
McGrory and Akin-Otiko led the Bluejays with 16 points in the loss, while sophomore Brianna Rollerson had 14 points.
Hrynko led all scorers with 33 points, setting the D.J. Sokol record for points by a visiting player. The previous mark was 32 points by Angel Robinson (Marquette) on Nov. 28, 2010.
Creighton returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 22 as the Bluejays host Marquette at 1 pm. Following the game Bluejay seniors, Akin-Otiko, Sammy Jensen and Taylor Johnson will be honored.
