Angela Timmons 20 points led three Creighton players scoring in double digits to lead the Bluejays to a 86-70 victory over Illinois State Friday in Missouri Valley Conference action at Redbird Arena.
The Redbirds, 3-11, 1-4 in the Valley, were led by
Steph Reichle who scored a season-high 20 points. The loss gives ISU its fourth-straight in league play. Creighton improves to 8-5, 2-2, winning its second-straight game thanks to Christy Neneman's 17 points and 16 from Krissie Spanheimer.
The hot-shooting Jays built a 24-13 lead by hitting 10 of their first 15 field goals, including 4 of 6 three pointers. The early part of the game was atypical of this season for both teams as neither squad was whistled for a foul until ISUs
Beth Huston got hacked going to the basket with 9:38 left.
The Jays led by as many as 15 in the first half, despite ISUs 19-11 rebounding advantage at halftime. Creightons key was its 56.7 percent shooting on 17 of 30 three-point goals while also converting 11 turnovers into 20 points. ISU was 11-26 for 42 percent.
Creighton came out quickly in the second half, with Spanheimer hitting a three. Jones connected on a layup and then Spanheimer increased the Bluejays lead to 50-30 just two minutes into the half after another layup. CUs leads fluctuated between 11 and 20 points the rest of the way, even though their shooting cooled off.
ISU made a run late in the remaining minutes of the game, pulling to within 11 on made two free throws from
Sharon Blade and a layup by Reichle with 3:50 left. But CU held on for the win after ISU had three quick fouls to put the Bluejays on the line and lift the lead back to 18.
Blade was the only other Redbird scorer in double digits, recording 11 on the night. ISU outrebounded Creighton 35-30, including six apiece from
Nadia Peruch,
Kellie Johnson and Blade.
Creighton head coach Connie Yori said she was very impressed with coach
Jenny Yopps team, but the experience level was the main difference in the game.
ISU has very good young players and I feel will be a real concern in the future, Yori said. The only difference in our team and theirs is the experience. The talent and personnel is similar but we are a ahead in the little aspects of the game. I also think our size made a difference, it was tough for them to handle the matchups.
Yopp agreed with Yoris comments, saying CU was one of the hardest teams in basketball to guard.
With veteran players like Timmons and Spanheimer, Creighton knows how to find one another even if their shots are not there, Yopp said. Offensively we struggled, we just were not in sync. We were working hard to work the ball around the perimeter but had a tough time finding each other.
I think we had a really good offensive effort though, Yopp continued. Scoring 70 points is a great effort for us and I think Steph dribbled the ball well but right now we are just inconsistent and are having a hard time taking care of business at Redbird Arena. Everyone goal is to take care of their own house, but we need to continue to work on getting better in all areas.
ISU returns to action on Sunday against Drake, a 69-68 winner at Indiana State, at Redbird Arena. Start time is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
