Creighton University
13-10 (6-6BE)
St. John's
15-7 (6-5BE)
Early Burst Carries Bluejays' WBB Past St. John's, 75-50
2/6/2015 9:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
QUEENS, N.Y. - Keyed by a 22-4 run to open the game the Creighton women's basketball upended St. John's 75-50 on Friday, Feb. 6.
The Bluejays moved to 13-10 overall and 6-6 in BIG EAST play, following the win. St. John's, meanwhile, fell to 15-7 overall and 6-5 in conference action.
Up 5-4 with 18:35 showing on the clock the Bluejays scored the next 17 points to take a commanding lead. Fueling the run was sizzling shooting from beyond the arc Creighton hit seven of its first eight shots from long range, including at least one from four of the five starters. Creighton's lone miss from downtown also yielded points as sophomore Brianna Rollerson grabbed an offensive board for a put back.
Out to a big lead the Bluejays never took their foot off the throttle as Creighton never allowed St. John's to get closer than 15 points.
Each time the Red Storm started to get going, the Bluejays answered. Midway through the first period, St. John's went on a 7-1 run to cut it to 32-17 (5:28). Head coach Jim Flanery called a timeout, then pounded the ball down low to Rollerson on the following possession. The Omaha native responded with a left-handed basket. After a defensive stop freshman Sydney Lamberty drained her second trifecta of the night to put the Bluejays back up by 20 at 37-17.
Leading 39-21 at the break, Creighton set the tone for the second half early with a defense stop and a tradition three-point play from Rollerson (44-21).
The knockout blow came midway through the second half as Creighton used an 11-2 run to build a 62-31 edge with 8:48 remaining. Senior Alexis Akin-Otiko led the charge with seven of her team-high 16 points during the surge.
Five Bluejays finished in double figures as Rollerson posted her fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Lamberty and junior Marissa Janning finished with 11 points, while sophomore MC McGrory had 10.
St. John's got a career-high 11 points from reserve guard Crystal Simmons in the loss.
Creighton returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 8 as the Bluejays head to South Orange, N.J. to face conference leader Seton Hall at 1 p.m.
