March 4, 2010
Box Score
OMAHA, Neb. -
Illinois State (22-6, 15-2 MVC) nearly erased two double-digit deficits, but in the end, a poor offensive first half proved too difficult to overcome. The Redbirds lost to Creighton (17-9, 12-5 MVC) for the second time this season, 60-57, snapping their 15-game winning streak.
Nicolle Lewis recorded her eighth double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds, tying her career-high. Ashleen Bracey led the Redbirds with 17 points and nine rebounds.
"The first half was ugly on both sides, but I was proud of our effort in the second half," said head coach Robin Pingeton. "We fought back when we had to, but just didn't make enough adjustments. Playing Creighton is always tough, especially on the road, and we gave them too many offensive rebounds, too many second chances when we needed stops. "
Megan Neuvirth logged a double-double for Creighton with team-highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds, and shot 9-for-10 from the free throw line. Creighton made only 18 shots and shot 28 percent from the field, but scored 20 points on 13 Redbird turnovers.
The game started out slowly, as the two teams shot a combined 4-for-27 from the field in the first eight minutes, but the Redbirds managed an 8-4 lead. A three-pointer and three-point play put Creighton ahead for the first time, but the Redbirds tied the score twice and regained the lead on a jumper by Emily Hanley with 7:44 remaining in the half.
After that, the Redbirds made just one field goal the rest of the half, allowing Creighton to go on a 10-4 run and take a 23-19 lead at halftime. The Redbirds' 19 points were their lowest in a half this season and it was the first time they failed to score 20 in a half since losing to South Dakota State in the WNIT in 2007. ISU shot 24.1 percent (7-29) from the field, its lowest shooting percentage in a half in 19 games.
Creighton didn't fare much better in the first half, shooting 17.1 percent (6-35), but did make three three-pointers and eight free throws and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds.
After sitting on the bench for most of the first half with two fouls, Lewis came out strong to start the second, scoring six points in a 10-2 run that put ISU ahead, 29-25, at the 16:43 mark. Creighton responded quickly with 14-straight points, making three three-pointers, in just under three minutes to take back the lead, 39-29.
Illinois State cut the lead down to four a couple of times, but a 9-2 Creighton spurt over two minutes gave the Jays their largest lead of the game, 54-43, with just under five minutes left to play.
The Redbirds continued to fight, scoring 10-straight points to cut the deficit to three, 54-53. Bracey scored six points during the run, including a steal and layup after a Krick basket that pulled ISU within three.
With less than a minute on the clock, the Redbirds were forced to foul Creighton to preserve time. Neuvirth made six free throws to keep the Creighton advantage to at least three points. After a layup by Krick with six seconds left, Creighton through away in inbounds pass, giving the Redbirds the ball with a chance to tie. Katie Broadway got a three off at the buzzer, but had two Creighton defenders on her and the shot hit the front of the rim.
Illinois State closes out the regular season at Drake Saturday at 2:05 p.m.
