Thursday, November 23
Cancun, Mexico
3:00 PM
Creighton University
vs
Georgia Tech
Photo by: Glen Sisk
Bluejay Women's Hoops Faces Georgia Tech and Michigan State in Cancun Challenge
11/22/2023 2:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Creighton is 4-0 on Two Previous Trips to Mexico
Cancun, Mexico -- Creighton Women's Basketball hopes to continue to enjoy the fun and sun of Cancun as the Bluejays participate in their third Cancun Challenge. This season the Bluejays will face Georgia Tech (Nov. 23) and Michigan State (Nov. 24). Creighton went 2-0 in each trips to Cancun in 2012 and again in 2019.
About Georgia Tech
Scouting Georgia Tech (4-0)
The Yellow Jackets come to Cancun with double-digit home wins over Coastal Carolina, Furman and Kennesaw State. Georgia Tech's fourth victory came 78-75 at Rice.
Kayla Blackshear and Tonie Morgan have guided the offense with 18.8 and 16.8 points per game respectively. Morgan has a team-high 25 assists, while Blackshear has grabbed 28 rebounds.
In their road win, the Yellow Jackets remained undefeated by rallying from down 17 points in the second half.
About Michigan State
The Spartans began the season with four home victories over Oakland, Wright State, Detroit Mercy and Evansville. The opening
game was the most competitive, 87-62. Michigan State's average
margin of victory entering the Cancun Challenge is 46.5 points.
DeeDee Hagemann is the Spartans leading scorer at 19.5 ppg. She also guides Michigan State with 21 assists on the season. Moira Joiner is the only other Spartan averaging double figures at 13.5 ppg. The stats, however, may be misleading as twelve players are averaging at least nine minutes per game as eight range between 14-to-24 minutes in the first four contests.
The Spartans are strong on the glass, averaging 40 rebounds per contest. In addition their depth will provide an advantage in the game with Creighton as it will be the second game in consecutive days for each squad.
Scouting Creighton (3-1)
The first quarter of each of the Bluejays' opening four contests has been pivotal. In Creighton's three victories, the Bluejays have held at least a five point edge, while in the lone loss the Bluejays trailed 22-9.
The Bluejays are led by the trio of Lauren Jensen (17.3 ppg), Morgan Maly (17.0) and Emma Ronsiek (16.8 ppg). The trio are also each averaging over 31 minutes per game.
Traditionally a strong three-point shooting team, the Bluejays are slightly off at just 29.0 percent through four games
(31-of-107). What has allowed Creighton to remain successful is a commitment to defend. The Bluejays have held their first four opponents to at least six points below their respective season average.
Keys To the Game on November 23 (Georgia Tech)
Head coach Jim Flanery brought his Bluejay squad to Cancun twice before, coming to the Caribbean Challenge in 2012 and again in 2019.
In 2019 the Bluejays participated in a four-team tournament, defeating Miami (OH) 66-57 in the opening game on Dec. 21, then besting South Florida (RV)Â 91-74 on Dec. 22. During the win over the Bulls, the Bluejays equaled a then program-record with 16 treys. Creighton did not face the fourth team, Nevada, in the tournament but as the lone undefeated squad the Bluejays captured the tournament championship.
During the 2019-20 season the Bluejays bested #23 West Virginia 82-75, then defeated Temple 69-59.
2012 (2-0)
Creighton 66, Miami (OH) 57
Creighton 91, (RV) South Florida 74
2019 (2-0)
Creighton 82, #23 West Virginia 75
Creighton 69, Temple 59
Creighton Culture - It is the Way
Since the 2010-11 season, all but two players to enter the Creighton women's basketball program they have earned a degree from Creighton and completed their athletic career as a Bluejay. The two players that transferred went on to complete their undergraduate degrees at other institutions.
The first four games of the 2023-24 season have been dictated by the opening quarter.
Game 1: Led North Dakota State 16-4, won 75-52
Game 2: Led South Dakota 29-14, won 81-55
Game 3: Trailed Green Bay 22-9, lost 65-53
Game 4: Led Nebraska 28-23, won 79-74
Ronsiek, Maly and Jensen all Cross 1,000 Point Threshold
Creighton's Big Three have each crossed the 1,000 threshold in the last 12 games for Creighton. Emma Ronsiek reached the plateau first on Feb. 12, 2023 against Xavier. Morgan Maly did so on March 4 in Creighton's 75-74 overtime victory against Seton Hall. The trio was completed on November 19 as Lauren Jensen reached 1,000 career points in the 79-74 win over Nebraska.
Jensen is the first player to reach 1,000 career points at Creighton that did not begin her career as a Bluejay.
Emma Ronsiek - 1,153 points
Morgan Maly - 1,083 points
Lauren Jensen - 1,005 points/982 at Creighton
Last Meeting with Fralick
Creighton faced off with a team guided by Robyn Fralick once before, defeating Bowling Green 72-65 in the WNIT at the close of the 2020-21 season. The game was also played at a neutral site, taking place in Rockford, Illinois.
Flanery Looking to Add To His List
Coaching in his 668th game at the helm for Creighton on Thursday, November 23, head coach Jim Flanery has a record of 604-263.
During his 22 seasons at the helm for the Bluejays, Flanery has defeated 77 unique opponents. The last three schools added to his list were Iowa State (March 25, 2022 - 76-68 to advance to the Elite Eight), Arkansas (Dec. 21, 2021 - 81-72) and Arizona State (Dec. 12, 2021 - 69-62) during the 2021-22 season.
Since the win over Iowa State, however, Creighton has dropped first meetings with #1 South Carolina, Mississippi State and Green Bay.
Flanery's most victories (22) have come against Northern Iowa.
11/23: - 3:00 p.m.
Georgia Tech (4-0) vs.#22 Creighton (2-1)
Series History: First Meeting
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
FloHoops: https://www.flohoops.com/live/73524
Stats: https://cancunchallenge.net/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
11/24: - 3:40 p.m.
Michigan State (4-0) vs.#22 Creighton (2-1)
Series History: First Meeting
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
TV: https://www.flohoops.com/live/73524
Stats: https://cancunchallenge.net/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
Georgia Tech (4-0) vs.#22 Creighton (2-1)
Series History: First Meeting
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
FloHoops: https://www.flohoops.com/live/73524
Stats: https://cancunchallenge.net/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
11/24: - 3:40 p.m.
Michigan State (4-0) vs.#22 Creighton (2-1)
Series History: First Meeting
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
TV: https://www.flohoops.com/live/73524
Stats: https://cancunchallenge.net/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
About Georgia Tech
- Located in Atlanta, Georgia.
- The Yellow Jackets went 13-17 last season, closing the season in the ACC Tournament.
- Head Coach Nell Fortner is in her fifth season leading Georgia Tech, entering the year with a mark of 71-48 with the Yellow Jackets.
Scouting Georgia Tech (4-0)
The Yellow Jackets come to Cancun with double-digit home wins over Coastal Carolina, Furman and Kennesaw State. Georgia Tech's fourth victory came 78-75 at Rice.
Kayla Blackshear and Tonie Morgan have guided the offense with 18.8 and 16.8 points per game respectively. Morgan has a team-high 25 assists, while Blackshear has grabbed 28 rebounds.
In their road win, the Yellow Jackets remained undefeated by rallying from down 17 points in the second half.
About Michigan State
- Located in East Lansing, Michigan.
- The Spartans went 16-14 last season, closing the season in the Big Ten Tournament
- Head Coach Robyn Fralick is in her first season leading Michigan State. She came to East Lansing after five seasons at Bowling Green, where she went 88-73 overall.
The Spartans began the season with four home victories over Oakland, Wright State, Detroit Mercy and Evansville. The opening
game was the most competitive, 87-62. Michigan State's average
margin of victory entering the Cancun Challenge is 46.5 points.
DeeDee Hagemann is the Spartans leading scorer at 19.5 ppg. She also guides Michigan State with 21 assists on the season. Moira Joiner is the only other Spartan averaging double figures at 13.5 ppg. The stats, however, may be misleading as twelve players are averaging at least nine minutes per game as eight range between 14-to-24 minutes in the first four contests.
The Spartans are strong on the glass, averaging 40 rebounds per contest. In addition their depth will provide an advantage in the game with Creighton as it will be the second game in consecutive days for each squad.
Scouting Creighton (3-1)
The first quarter of each of the Bluejays' opening four contests has been pivotal. In Creighton's three victories, the Bluejays have held at least a five point edge, while in the lone loss the Bluejays trailed 22-9.
The Bluejays are led by the trio of Lauren Jensen (17.3 ppg), Morgan Maly (17.0) and Emma Ronsiek (16.8 ppg). The trio are also each averaging over 31 minutes per game.
Traditionally a strong three-point shooting team, the Bluejays are slightly off at just 29.0 percent through four games
(31-of-107). What has allowed Creighton to remain successful is a commitment to defend. The Bluejays have held their first four opponents to at least six points below their respective season average.
Keys To the Game on November 23 (Georgia Tech)
- Force Blackshear to Defend: Georgia Tech's leading scorer Kayla Blackshear has committed just seven fouls this season. The Bluejays trio of Mallory Brake, Morgan Maly and Emma Ronsiek will present a unique challenge for her.
- Free Throws: The Yellow Jackets have gotten to the charity stripe 73 times in four games, more than 18 per game. Creighton must defend without bailing Georgie Tech out with fouls.
- Ball Security: In the first four games Georgia Tech has committed 72 turnovers (18 per game). Creighton must step into passing lanes and selectively take advantage of this.
- Make Hagemann a Distributor: DeeDee Hagemann has proven adept at both scoring and distributing, yet it is important to force her into one role.
- Three-point Shooting: Michigan State will fire from range as the Spartans enter the Cancun Challenge 43-for-84 (51.2%) from beyond the arc.
- Fatigue: Playing back-to-back for the first time in 2023-24, fatigue will be a factor for both teams. However the Bluejays' limited roster will force younger players to step forward for Creighton.
Head coach Jim Flanery brought his Bluejay squad to Cancun twice before, coming to the Caribbean Challenge in 2012 and again in 2019.
In 2019 the Bluejays participated in a four-team tournament, defeating Miami (OH) 66-57 in the opening game on Dec. 21, then besting South Florida (RV)Â 91-74 on Dec. 22. During the win over the Bulls, the Bluejays equaled a then program-record with 16 treys. Creighton did not face the fourth team, Nevada, in the tournament but as the lone undefeated squad the Bluejays captured the tournament championship.
During the 2019-20 season the Bluejays bested #23 West Virginia 82-75, then defeated Temple 69-59.
2012 (2-0)
Creighton 66, Miami (OH) 57
Creighton 91, (RV) South Florida 74
2019 (2-0)
Creighton 82, #23 West Virginia 75
Creighton 69, Temple 59
Creighton Culture - It is the Way
Since the 2010-11 season, all but two players to enter the Creighton women's basketball program they have earned a degree from Creighton and completed their athletic career as a Bluejay. The two players that transferred went on to complete their undergraduate degrees at other institutions.
- 47 consecutive student-athletes entering the Bluejay WBB program have earned either an undergraduate or graduate degree.
- 45 of those 47 players have completed their athletic career as a Bluejay.
The first four games of the 2023-24 season have been dictated by the opening quarter.
Game 1: Led North Dakota State 16-4, won 75-52
Game 2: Led South Dakota 29-14, won 81-55
Game 3: Trailed Green Bay 22-9, lost 65-53
Game 4: Led Nebraska 28-23, won 79-74
Ronsiek, Maly and Jensen all Cross 1,000 Point Threshold
Creighton's Big Three have each crossed the 1,000 threshold in the last 12 games for Creighton. Emma Ronsiek reached the plateau first on Feb. 12, 2023 against Xavier. Morgan Maly did so on March 4 in Creighton's 75-74 overtime victory against Seton Hall. The trio was completed on November 19 as Lauren Jensen reached 1,000 career points in the 79-74 win over Nebraska.
Jensen is the first player to reach 1,000 career points at Creighton that did not begin her career as a Bluejay.
Emma Ronsiek - 1,153 points
Morgan Maly - 1,083 points
Lauren Jensen - 1,005 points/982 at Creighton
Last Meeting with Fralick
Creighton faced off with a team guided by Robyn Fralick once before, defeating Bowling Green 72-65 in the WNIT at the close of the 2020-21 season. The game was also played at a neutral site, taking place in Rockford, Illinois.
Flanery Looking to Add To His List
Coaching in his 668th game at the helm for Creighton on Thursday, November 23, head coach Jim Flanery has a record of 604-263.
During his 22 seasons at the helm for the Bluejays, Flanery has defeated 77 unique opponents. The last three schools added to his list were Iowa State (March 25, 2022 - 76-68 to advance to the Elite Eight), Arkansas (Dec. 21, 2021 - 81-72) and Arizona State (Dec. 12, 2021 - 69-62) during the 2021-22 season.
Since the win over Iowa State, however, Creighton has dropped first meetings with #1 South Carolina, Mississippi State and Green Bay.
Flanery's most victories (22) have come against Northern Iowa.
Players Mentioned
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