Dec. 4, 2009

Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. - Lauren Woods tied her career best with a game-high 21 points, but Creighton emerged with a 69-58 victory over the Billikens Friday night at D.J. Sokol Arena.

Woods was 9-of-16 from the field. She was joined in double figures by Amanda Kemezys, who scored 11 points and tied for game-high rebounding honors with nine boards as SLU edged Creighton (5-1) 41-40 on the glass. Katie Paganelli and Jacy Bradley netted nine points apiece for the Billikens (3-4).

Megan Neuvirth led Creighton with 20 points. Sam Schuett and Ally Jensen netted 11 points apiece, and Kelsey Woodard added 10. Schuett (nine rebounds) and Kelsey Crites (eight) led the Bluejays' effort on the glass, while Chevelle Herring had a game-high five assists.

Baskets by Woods tied the game at 2-2 and 4-4 before Creighton seized control with a 9-0 run. Woods interrupted the spurt by making a free throw, but the Bluejays tallied all four of their first-half 3-pointers during a span of eight possessions in a 14-2 flurry that gave them a 27-7 cushion with 7:23 left in the first half.

The lead reached 36-10 before Saint Louis finished the half on a 9-3 run. Woods started it with a jumper from the right wing and a 3-pointer on an out-of-bounds play. Kemezys grabbed an offensive rebound and scored, and Ayriell Robinson made a steal and drove the length of the floor for a layup to narrow the gap to 39-19 at the break.

The Billikens registered a Bradley trey and a Kemezys free throw on their first two second-half possessions, only to see Creighton score on four straight touches to build its lead to 48-23.

The Bluejays held a 56-27 advantage with 13:47 remaining when the Billikens began a 12-0 run, scoring on six consecutive possessions to inch their way back into the game. Kemezys made a pair of layups, and Mallory Eggert hit a 17-footer followed by a layup resulting from a Creighton backcourt turnover. Woods finished the run with an up-and-under in the lane and a pull-up jumper, and the Bluejay lead was 56-39 with 10:35 to play.

Neither team scored again until the 8:16 mark, when Jensen hit the first of two straight 3-pointers to put Creighton back in command. After another Jensen trey put the Bluejays on top 67-47 with 2:47 left, the Billikens outscored the hosts 11-2 down the stretch. Paganelli and Bradley scored five and four points, respectively, during the run.

Saint Louis shot 52 percent (16-of-31) in the second half to finish at 38 percent (24-of-63) for the game, following a dismal opening period that saw the Bills hit just 25 percent (8-of-32). Woods scored 13 of her 21 points in the first 20 minutes. SLU committed a season-low 11 turnovers.

Creighton shot 43 percent (27-of-63) on the evening. The Bluejays were held under their average of 11 treys per game but still managed an 8-of-22 (36 percent) performance.

The Billikens conclude their road trip at Evansville Sunday. Tip time at Roberts Stadium is 4 p.m.