Sunday, December 5
Omaha, Neb.
1:00 PM
Creighton University
vs
Villanova
Photo by: Steve Branscombe
Women's Basketball Returns to D.J. Sokol Arena to Battle Villanova on Sunday
12/4/2021 5:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Omaha, Neb. -- Following a 64-38 win over Georgetown in the CHI Health Center on Friday, the Creighton women's basketball team returns to D.J. Sokol Arena on Sunday December 5 as the Bluejays face Villanova at 1:00 pm.
Download the full preview (PDF)
Series with Villanova: Bluejays Lead 9-7
Home: 5-2 Away: 3-5 Neutral: 1-0
The Bluejays lead the overall series with Villanova, 9-7. Creighton and the Wildcats met just once last season, with Villanova taking the matchup 73-68.
Series Game-by-Game
Date   Opponent   Score
12/28/13   Villanova   W, 65-58
2/1/14   at Villanova   L, 54-68
1/9/15   Villanova   L, 61-65
3/1/15   at Villanova   L, 53-61
1/5/16   at Villanova   W, 65-62
1/29/16   Villanova   W, 53-48
3/6/16   @ ª vs. Villanova   W, 57-48
1/10/17   Villanova   W, 60-46
2/3/17   at Villanova   W, 47-44
12/28/17   #18 Villanova   W, 69-54
2/25/18   at Villanova   L, 48-55
1/4/19   Villanova   L, 52-54
2/3/19   at Villanova   L, 62-67 (2ot)
12/31/19   at Villanova   W, 58-42
2/28/20   Villanova   W, 67-47
12/19/20   at Villanova   L, 68-73
@ = played in Chicago, Ill.
ª = BIG EAST Tournament game
Flanery vs. Villanova
Flanery has guided Creighton in every meeting with the Wildcats, holding a 9-7 mark against Villanova.
Scouting Villanova (3-4, 0-1 BIG EAST)
Villanova comes to Omaha for its third game in five days. The Wildcats have dropped two of their last three games, falling to Providence 66-47 on Friday, December 3.
The leading scorers for the Wildcats are Lior Garzon (15.1 ppg) and Brianna Herlihy (12.1 ppg).
For Villanova, though, the question is when Maddy Siegrist can return to the lineup. Arguably the best player in the BIG EAST that does not wear a Connecticut uniform, Siegrist has been sidelined since November 12 with a right wrist injury. In three games against the Bluejays Siegrist is averaging a double-double of 21.3 ppg and 12 rpg. Last season she delivered 34 points and 19 rebounds in the Wildcats win.
Villanova is highly disciplined team, hitting 80% from the free throw line. One area the Wildcats can struggle, however, is on the glass. Villanova averages just 32 rebounds per game, while opponents grab 38.1 rpg.
Scouting Creighton (4-2, 1-0 BIG EAST)
After getting off to a slow start against Drake, Omaha and Nebraska to open the season, the Bluejays seem to have addressed that concern. Creighton opened the game with Georgetown on a 16-0 run, racing out to a 64-38 win.
During the 2021-22 season the Bluejays have spread the minutes around to 11 different players, with at least 10 seeing time in each of the first six contests.
Ronsiek is the offensive leader with 15.0 ppg, while reserve Morgan Maly is second on the squad with 12.0 ppg. Creighton has been adept in the early season at sharing the basketball, averaging better than 20 assists per game with 122 assist in six contests.
Another area that Creighton has excelled in 2021-22 has been on the glass. The Bluejays are averaging 41.0 rebounds per game.
Keys To the Game on Sunday, Dec. 5
Bluejays Claim First Win At CHI Health Center
Playing the third game at the CHI Health Center in program history, the Creighton Bluejays' women's team earned its first win in the building with a 64-38 win over Georgetown on Dec. 3.
Creighton previously played in the CHI Health Center two times previously, falling to Kansas 64-58 on Dec. 22, 2010 and to Drake 55-41 on Feb. 27, 2009.
The contest with Georgetown was relocated to Creighton's men's basketball home, the CHI Health Center, as the Bluejay volleyball team is hosting the NCAA First and Second Rounds at D.J. Sokol Arena on Thursday and Friday.
Georgetown a Familiar Foe in BIG EAST Openers
For the second time in three seasons the Bluejays open BIG EAST play against Georgetown. Creighton is 7-2 in opening games as a member of the BIG EAST Conference. In BIG EAST home openers the Bluejays are 5-4. The Bluejays have opened up conference play at home six of nine seasons.
Friday's game will mark the second time the Bluejays have started conference play on Dec. 3, the earliest Creighton has opened a conference season.
BIG EAST Opening Games
2013-14:   Dec. 28 vs. Villanova   W, 65-58
2014-15:   Dec. 3 vs. Seton Hall   L, 74-79
2015-16:   Dec. 29 vs. St. John's   L, 55-66
2016-17:   Dec. 28 vs. Butler   W, 67-52
2017-18:   Dec. 28 vs. #18 Villanova   W, 69-54
2018-19:   Dec. 29 at #19 DePaul   W, 85-82
2019-20:   Dec. 29 at Georgetown   W, 65-56
2020-21:   Dec. 6 at Butler   W, 88-41
2021-22:   Dec. 3 vs. Georgetown   W, 64-38
Bluejays Bust Out of the Gate to Claim BIG EAST Opener
Creighton opened BIG EAST play with a BANG for the second consecutive season. The Bluejays bested Georgetown by 26 points this season, but posted a 37-point win over Butler in the conference opener last season.
Creighton punctuated its taste for BIG EAST starters this season with a 16-0 run to start the matchup with the Hoyas.
Defense Posts Lowest Scoring Output Since 2012
Creighton limited Georgetown to just 38 points in the Bluejays' win on Dec. 3. It was the first time the Bluejays held an opponent under 40 points since limiting St. John's to 39 on Jan. 26, 2018. The last time Creighton held an opponent to fewer that 38 points was on Jan. 12, 2012 as the Bluejays defeated Evansville 65-33.
With just 38 points the Hoyas' shooting percentage was just 25.9%, the last time the Bluejays held a team to a lower percentage was when Wichita State shot 23.6% in Creighton's 56-46 win on Dec. 14, 2019.
Download the full preview (PDF)
12/5: - 1:00 p.m.
Villanova (3-4, 0-1 BE) at Creighton (4-2, 1-0 BE)
Twitter: @CreightonWBB
Online Stream - BIG EAST Digital Network/FloHoops:
Jake Eisenberg and Rob Simms
https://www.flohoops.com/live/33499
Live Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Villanova (3-4, 0-1 BE) at Creighton (4-2, 1-0 BE)
Twitter: @CreightonWBB
Online Stream - BIG EAST Digital Network/FloHoops:
Jake Eisenberg and Rob Simms
https://www.flohoops.com/live/33499
Live Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Series with Villanova: Bluejays Lead 9-7
Home: 5-2 Away: 3-5 Neutral: 1-0
The Bluejays lead the overall series with Villanova, 9-7. Creighton and the Wildcats met just once last season, with Villanova taking the matchup 73-68.
Series Game-by-Game
Date   Opponent   Score
12/28/13   Villanova   W, 65-58
2/1/14   at Villanova   L, 54-68
1/9/15   Villanova   L, 61-65
3/1/15   at Villanova   L, 53-61
1/5/16   at Villanova   W, 65-62
1/29/16   Villanova   W, 53-48
3/6/16   @ ª vs. Villanova   W, 57-48
1/10/17   Villanova   W, 60-46
2/3/17   at Villanova   W, 47-44
12/28/17   #18 Villanova   W, 69-54
2/25/18   at Villanova   L, 48-55
1/4/19   Villanova   L, 52-54
2/3/19   at Villanova   L, 62-67 (2ot)
12/31/19   at Villanova   W, 58-42
2/28/20   Villanova   W, 67-47
12/19/20   at Villanova   L, 68-73
@ = played in Chicago, Ill.
ª = BIG EAST Tournament game
Flanery vs. Villanova
Flanery has guided Creighton in every meeting with the Wildcats, holding a 9-7 mark against Villanova.
Scouting Villanova (3-4, 0-1 BIG EAST)
Villanova comes to Omaha for its third game in five days. The Wildcats have dropped two of their last three games, falling to Providence 66-47 on Friday, December 3.
The leading scorers for the Wildcats are Lior Garzon (15.1 ppg) and Brianna Herlihy (12.1 ppg).
For Villanova, though, the question is when Maddy Siegrist can return to the lineup. Arguably the best player in the BIG EAST that does not wear a Connecticut uniform, Siegrist has been sidelined since November 12 with a right wrist injury. In three games against the Bluejays Siegrist is averaging a double-double of 21.3 ppg and 12 rpg. Last season she delivered 34 points and 19 rebounds in the Wildcats win.
Villanova is highly disciplined team, hitting 80% from the free throw line. One area the Wildcats can struggle, however, is on the glass. Villanova averages just 32 rebounds per game, while opponents grab 38.1 rpg.
Scouting Creighton (4-2, 1-0 BIG EAST)
After getting off to a slow start against Drake, Omaha and Nebraska to open the season, the Bluejays seem to have addressed that concern. Creighton opened the game with Georgetown on a 16-0 run, racing out to a 64-38 win.
During the 2021-22 season the Bluejays have spread the minutes around to 11 different players, with at least 10 seeing time in each of the first six contests.
Ronsiek is the offensive leader with 15.0 ppg, while reserve Morgan Maly is second on the squad with 12.0 ppg. Creighton has been adept in the early season at sharing the basketball, averaging better than 20 assists per game with 122 assist in six contests.
Another area that Creighton has excelled in 2021-22 has been on the glass. The Bluejays are averaging 41.0 rebounds per game.
Keys To the Game on Sunday, Dec. 5
- Maddy Siegrist: If Villanova is without her star player, Creighton will have a decisive advantage in the paint. Conversely if she does play, will she provide an emotional lift for the Wildcats and how effective will she be.
- Early Offense: The Bluejays were dominant to open the first and second halves against Georgetown. While Creighton should not expect a 16-0 run to open the game, points are typically at a premium in matchups between the Bluejays and Wildcats.
- Depth and Fatigue: Villanova will be playing its third game in three different cities over in just five days. Add to this that the Wildcats have seven players that average double-digit minutes (eight if Siegrist plays), Creighton has 11.
Bluejays Claim First Win At CHI Health Center
Playing the third game at the CHI Health Center in program history, the Creighton Bluejays' women's team earned its first win in the building with a 64-38 win over Georgetown on Dec. 3.
Creighton previously played in the CHI Health Center two times previously, falling to Kansas 64-58 on Dec. 22, 2010 and to Drake 55-41 on Feb. 27, 2009.
The contest with Georgetown was relocated to Creighton's men's basketball home, the CHI Health Center, as the Bluejay volleyball team is hosting the NCAA First and Second Rounds at D.J. Sokol Arena on Thursday and Friday.
Georgetown a Familiar Foe in BIG EAST Openers
For the second time in three seasons the Bluejays open BIG EAST play against Georgetown. Creighton is 7-2 in opening games as a member of the BIG EAST Conference. In BIG EAST home openers the Bluejays are 5-4. The Bluejays have opened up conference play at home six of nine seasons.
Friday's game will mark the second time the Bluejays have started conference play on Dec. 3, the earliest Creighton has opened a conference season.
BIG EAST Opening Games
2013-14:   Dec. 28 vs. Villanova   W, 65-58
2014-15:   Dec. 3 vs. Seton Hall   L, 74-79
2015-16:   Dec. 29 vs. St. John's   L, 55-66
2016-17:   Dec. 28 vs. Butler   W, 67-52
2017-18:   Dec. 28 vs. #18 Villanova   W, 69-54
2018-19:   Dec. 29 at #19 DePaul   W, 85-82
2019-20:   Dec. 29 at Georgetown   W, 65-56
2020-21:   Dec. 6 at Butler   W, 88-41
2021-22:   Dec. 3 vs. Georgetown   W, 64-38
Bluejays Bust Out of the Gate to Claim BIG EAST Opener
Creighton opened BIG EAST play with a BANG for the second consecutive season. The Bluejays bested Georgetown by 26 points this season, but posted a 37-point win over Butler in the conference opener last season.
Creighton punctuated its taste for BIG EAST starters this season with a 16-0 run to start the matchup with the Hoyas.
Defense Posts Lowest Scoring Output Since 2012
Creighton limited Georgetown to just 38 points in the Bluejays' win on Dec. 3. It was the first time the Bluejays held an opponent under 40 points since limiting St. John's to 39 on Jan. 26, 2018. The last time Creighton held an opponent to fewer that 38 points was on Jan. 12, 2012 as the Bluejays defeated Evansville 65-33.
With just 38 points the Hoyas' shooting percentage was just 25.9%, the last time the Bluejays held a team to a lower percentage was when Wichita State shot 23.6% in Creighton's 56-46 win on Dec. 14, 2019.
Players Mentioned
G/F
/ Women's Basketball2025 Creighton Classic - USF vs. Kansas - 9/21/25
Sunday, September 21
Creighton Women's Soccer Postgame vs. Georgetown, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
Creighton Women's Soccer vs. Georgetown, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
Creighton Volleyball vs. South Florida Press Conference - 9/20/25
Saturday, September 20
