Women's Basketball Hosts Evansville Thursday
1/11/2012 10:24:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Evansville Purple Aces (4-11, 1-3 MVC)
at Creighton Bluejays (6-8, 0-3 MVC)
Game #15 • Thursday, Jan. 12 • 7:05 p.m.
Ryan Athletic Center & D.J Sokol Arena (2,500) • Omaha, Neb.
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Series History: CU leads 28-10; CU leads 13-4 in Omaha
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Stats | Live Video
• Jim Flanery served in his 300th game as Creighton's head coach in the Bluejays' contest at Wichita State on Sunday.at Creighton Bluejays (6-8, 0-3 MVC)
Game #15 • Thursday, Jan. 12 • 7:05 p.m.
Ryan Athletic Center & D.J Sokol Arena (2,500) • Omaha, Neb.
Twitter: @GoCreighton, @CreightonWBB
Series History: CU leads 28-10; CU leads 13-4 in Omaha
Audio (1180 AM) | Live Stats | Live Video
• The Bluejays are 0-3 in MVC play for the second time in school history (2006-07). The Jays have never lost the first four games of their MVC schedule.
• The Jays have not lost their first two MVC home games since doing so in back-to-back seasons, 1999-2000 and 2000-01.
• Creighton has lost its last six MVC games, its longest Valley losing streak since the 2005-06 team lost a school-record 13 straight conference games.
• Creighton's four-game losing streak is its longest in the regular-season since losing seven straight to open the 2006-07 season.
• Sarah Nelson (13.6) and Carli Tritz (13.0) are both averaging at least 13 points per game. The Jays have not had two players average at least 13 points in a season since Angie Janis (18.5) and Kristi Woodard (13.5) in 2005-06.
• Creighton is one of only three teams in the MVC with a positive turnover margin. The Jays are second in the league with 16.8 turnovers per game, while forcing 18 turnovers per game.
• Only one Bluejay opponent has scored more than 60 points in Creighton's last 14 Valley home games. Opponents are averaging just 56 points per game in 34 games over three seasons at D.J. Sokol Arena.
• Sarah Nelson is averaging 15 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game at home this year, while shooting 64 percent (32-50) from the field in Omaha. The rest of the team is shooting 30.5 percent at home.
Scouting the Bluejays
Creighton once again played the toughest non-conference schedule in the league, with its strength of schedule ranked 18th before the start of Valley play ... CU returns eight letterwinners and two starters from last year's team which finished 18-13, 12-6 (T-2nd) in the MVC ... Nine of CU's 12 roster spots are filled by underclassmen ... The Bluejays are ranked eighth in the MVC, averaging 58.0 points per game, their lowest scoring average since the 1981-82 season and are 10th in the MVC with 33.9 rebounds per game ... CU ranks second in the MVC in defense (59.1 opp. ppg) ... Two-time MVC Player of the Week sophomore Sarah Nelson leads the team with 13.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 24 steals, 12 blocks and four double-doubles ... Nelson leads the team and is third in the MVC, shooting 54.1 percent from the field ... Carli Tritz (13 ppg), the 2011 MVC Freshman of the Year, is averaging 14.6 points, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals in her last seven games and she is CU's active career leader in leader in points, steals, assists, free throws and free-throw attempts ... ... Ally Jensen (8.4 ppg), is one of 16 players in school history with 100 career three-pointers and she leads the team with 26 threes this year.
Scouting the Purple Aces
Evansville, which is 0-7 on the road this year and 6-41 on the road over the last four seasons, ranks last in the MVC in offense (55.9 ppg), FG percentage (.356) and three-point FG percentage (.274) ... UE is shooting even lower – 34.5 FG% & 26.4 3FG% – in MVC play ... ... Samantha Heck leads the team with 13.5 ppg and 15.8 ppg in Valley play ... Briyana Blair (10.9 ppg) leads the team with 9.9 rebounds per game, including 13.5 in MVC action following a 20-rebound game vs. Bradley ... Blair leads the MVC with 2.6 steals per game and leads UE with 4.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game ... Megan Collins (8.5 ppg) and Katie Ellerson (5.6 ppg) are tied for the team-lead with 17 three-pointers.
The Coaches
• Jim Flanery (Creighton, 1987) is in his 10th season as head coach at his alma mater, where he has led his team to seven WNIT postseason appearances and five 20-win seasons. He owns a career record of 176-124 (.587). One of seven coaches in MVC history with 100 league wins, he led the Bluejays to the 2004 WNIT Championship. He is the second-winningest coach in school history. Prior to serving as CU's head coach, Flanery served as CU's top assistant for a decade. Flan is 15-4 all-time against Evansville.
• Oties Epps (Wisconsin-Stout, 2002) is in his first season as a collegiate head coach, after serving as an assistant coach at Cleveland State under Kate Peterson and at Wisconsin under former Drake head coach Lisa Stone.
Creighton-Evansville Series History
The Bluejays lead the all-time series with Evansville 28-10, including 13-4 in Omaha. The Jays have won four straight, seven of the last eight and 18 of the last 22 meetings with the Purple Aces. CU has won the last five meetings with UE in Omaha, with the Aces' last win here coming on Feb. 19, 2006.
Individuals against Evansville
Creighton's eight returners have combined to score 81 total points in 23 career games against Evansville, led by Sarah Nelson's 18 points. Nelson had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks against UE at home last year. She averages 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds against UE. Alyssa Kamphaus had 12 points, making 5-of-5 field goals, including a three-pointer, in just seven minutes at Evansville last year, her only appearance vs. UE. Carli Tritz had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals at Evansville last year and averaged 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals vs. UE. McKenzie Fujan had 9 points and 3 assists at UE last year. Ally Jensen has never made more than one field goal or had more than three points in a game against the Aces.
300
Jim Flanery coached in his 300th game as Creighton's head coach at Wichita State on Jan. 8. He joins Bruce Rasmussen as the only other coach in school history to reach 300 games as CU's leader. Rasmussen coached in 343 games in 12 seasons at Creighton, while Flan is now in his 10th season. Rasmussen, now Creighton's athletic director, was 160-140 (.533) after 300 games, while Flanery is now 176-124 (.587) in his career.
Alexis in Stitches
Alexis Akin-Otiko had an unfortunate ending to her best game since Nov. 13 at Missouri State on Jan. 5. The freshman scored 10 points, making all five of her field goal attempts in Creighton's game at MSU, scoring in double figures for the second time this season. The rookie left the game with 2:47 remaining after colliding head-on with Lady Bear star Casey Garrison. Akin-Otiko needed four stitches to repair a cut under her right eye, while Garrison suffered a broken nose in the collision.
Stopping the Streak
Creighton has opened MVC play with an 0-3 mark this year for just the second time in school history. The Bluejays closed last year losing their final three MVC games as well, giving CU a six-game Valley skid, its longest since losing a school-record 13 straight in Valley play in 2006. Creighton has never opened Valley play with four straight losses. CU's current four-game losing streak is its longest regular-season skid since dropping seven straight to open the 2006-07 season. Creighton ended last year on a five-game losing streak (with one loss in the MVC Tournament and another in the WNIT).
Slow Start
Creighton is 0-3 in MVC for just the second time in league history, equalling the dubious feat accomplished by the 2006-07 team. The Bluejays have never started 0-4 in Valley play.
Another 300 Note
Senior DaNae Moore is Creighton's active career leader in rebounds and enters the Evansville game with 299 boards in 110 games. Moore is averaging a career-high 4.1 rebounds per game this year, topping her previous best of 3.2 per game set last year.
More Milestones
Creighton's top-three scorers on the year all passed career scoring milestones last weekend. Sophomore Carli Tritz went over 500 points in her career in CU's game at Missouri State, while sophomore Sarah Nelson and junior Ally Jensen each moved over 400 career points in the Wichita State game.
Carli's Accomplishments
Sophomore Carli Tritz has scored in double figures in each of Creighton's last seven games – the longest streak of her career. Tritz leads the Bluejays with 14.6 points, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game in that span. Tritz is shooting 45.7 percent from the field in her last eight games, after starting the season shooting just 32.3 percent from the field in her first six outings. Tritz tied her career-high with six steals in Creighton's last home game against Drake on Dec. 31.
Some Good, Some Not So
During Creighton's four-game losing streak, the Bluejays are averaging 52.8 points per game, shooting 38.2 percent from the field, 28.8 percent from three-point range and just 65.4 percent at the free-throw line. The Bluejays have a better assist-turnover ratio, more blocks and more steals their than opponents during the losing streak, but the Jays are getting out-rebounded by 10 boards per game during the streak. CU is averaging only 27.5 rebounds per game, while allowing 37.5 rebounds in its last four games. Opponents are shooting 42.1 percent from the field and an impressive 40.9 percent from three-point range during the skid.
• Individually, Carli Tritz (14.8) and Sarah Nelson (14.3) are each averaging better than 14 points during the skid, but no other Bluejay is averaging more than 5.0 points per game.
• Tritz (.469), Nelson (.465), McKenzie Fujan (.500) and Alexis Akin-Otiko (.500) have combined to shoot 47.6 percent (59-124) from the field over CU's last four games, but the rest of the team is shooting a lowly 23.8 percent (19-80) from the field.
Free Falling
Creighton is shooting just 58.1 percent at the free-throw line in conference play. Costly points left at the line in games lost by 3, 10 and 7-point losing margins. The Bluejays shot 72.6 percent at the free-throw line in non-conference play. CU is 25-of-43 (.581) at the line in Valley play, compared to 52-of-71 (.732) by the opposition.
Home is Where the Wins Are
Creighton went 12-2 at D.J. Sokol Arena last year, and is now 26-8 (.765) at its new home. The Bluejays are 98-33 (.748) at home under Jim Flanery, including 64-18 (.780) in MVC play at home under Flanery, including a 15-4 (.789) league mark at D.J. Sokol Arena.
Defending D.J.
Creighton is 26-8 all-time their new home. In those 34 games, the Jays have allowed less than 60 points points 24 times and under 50 points nine times. Only one MVC opponent has scored more than 60 points in the last 14 games played in Omaha. Bluejay opponents are averaging just 56.0 points per game in the 34 games played inside D.J. Sokol Arena.
Best Non-Conference RPI & SOS in MVC
• As it annually does, Creighton again played the strongest non-conference schedule in the MVC. When non-conference play concluded, the Bluejays' strength of schedule (SOS) through Dec. 28 was 18. Only one other school in the MVC had an SOS in the top 100, as Illinois State's SOS was 39 before Valley play began. The average strength of schedule for the nine other MVC teams was 174 – or 156 spots lower than Creighton's.
• Creighton's league-leading RPI was 49 before MVC play began. The Jays were one of four MVC teams in the top 100, with Missouri State (63), Bradley (82) and Illinois State (97) joining them.
No Bad Non-Conference Losses
One reason for Creighton's high non-conference RPI and strength of schedule is the fact that the five teams Creighton lost to this year were a combined 52-4 in non-conference action. Colorado (11-0), Notre Dame (12-1), Nebraska (11-1), Kansas (11-1) and South Dakota (7-1) had impressive non-conference marks. Notre Dame is ranked second and Nebraska is ranked 15th in this week's AP poll.
Looking For O in Omaha
Creighton's offense is in the midst of its worst slump in 30 years. The Bluejays went six straight games without reaching 60 points (Dec. 4-31) before scoring 60 in a loss at Missouri State on Jan. 5. That was the longest streak of sub-60 games since the 1981-82 team went nine straight games without getting 60 to end the year. Creighton's 58 points per game scoring average is its lowest since the 1981-82 team averaged 56.6 points per game on the season.
On Top of the Valley
Creighton has won more MVC games in the last 10 seasons than any other program in the league. With 105 victories since the 2002-03 season, the Bluejays were the only Valley team to eclipse 100 conference wins in the nine-year span of 2002-11. All 105 wins have come since Jim Flanery took over, making him just the seventh coach in league history to win 100 MVC games.
MVC Records Since 2002-03
(through Jan. 11)
School W-L Pct.
Creighton 105-60 .636
Northern Iowa 102-64 .623
Indiana State 100-65 .606
Illinois State 99-66 .600
Missouri State 94-72 .566
Drake 90-75 .545
Bradley 73-93 .440
Evansville 65-101 .392
Wichita State 58-108 .349
Southern Illinois 42-124 .253
Flan Makes History With 100th MVC Win
Head coach Jim Flanery won his 100th career MVC game against Wichita State on Jan. 29, 2011, becoming the seventh coach in league history to reach that milestone.
Most MVC Coaching Wins (league games)
Name, School Wins Years
Cheryl Burnett, MSU 201 1988-02
Cindy Scott, SIU 199 1983-98
Jill Hutchison, ILS 170 1983-99
Tony DiCecco, UNI 117 1996-07
Lisa Bluder, DU 116 1991-00
Connie Yori, CU 109 1992-02
Jim Flanery, CU 105 2002-pr.
3-Point Streak Snapped
Creighton had made at least five three-pointers in its first 11 games this year before it made a season-low three and shot a season-low 15.8 percent (3-19) from long range against Drake on Dec. 31. The 11-straight games with five threes was CU's longest streak since making five threes in 12 straight games between Jan. 8 – Feb. 20, 2004. The Bluejays ended last season having made at least five three-pointers in their final eight games as the Jays set a school-record with 19 consecutive games with at least five threes.
Ally Jensen Joins the 100 3FG Club
Junior Ally Jensen became the 16th player in school history to reach 100 career three-pointers when she hit her third trey at UTSA on Dec. 20. Jensen is now ranked 14th in school history with 105 triples, recently passing two-time MVC Player of the Year Christy Neneman on the charts.
Creighton Career 3-Point Field Goals
1. 309 Kathy Halligan 1988-92
2. 294 Dayna Finch 2000-04
3. 261 Kelsey Woodard 2007-11
4. 250 Laura Spanheimer 2001-05
5. 187 Missy Miller 1992-96
6. 174 Holly Sivesind 1993-97
7. 169 Sam Schuett 2006-11
8. 154 Ally Thrall 2004-08
9. 151 Melissa Sanford 1989-92
10. 137 Krissie Spanheimer 1997-01
11. 134 Chevelle Herring 2005-10
134 Angela Timmons 1997-01
13. 132 Kristi Woodard 2002-06
14. 105 Ally Jensen 2009-
15. 102 Christy Neneman 2000-04
16. 101 Michelle Kaus 2005-09
Trail to Win
In five of Creighton's six wins this year, the Bluejays have fallen behind in the opening minutes, only to come back and own a lead before halftime. Creighton never trailed in its win at Wyoming, has led at halftime in all six of its wins and trailed at halftime in five of its six losses. A quick glance at CU's deficits overcome for wins this year:
• Nov. 11 at UND, CU trailed by 6 just 90 seconds into the game, but led 34-28 at halftime and won 72-54.
• Nov. 13 at NDSU, CU trailed by 8 six minutes into the game, but led 28-24 at halftime and won 71-51.
• Nov. 27 vs. NCST, CU trailed by 4 three minutes into the game, but led 33-30 at halftime and won 74-67.
• Dec. 18 vs. BGSU, CU trailed by 10 with 9:15 left in the first half, but led 26-25 at halftime and won 49-47.
• Dec. 20 at UTSA, CU trailed by 6, six minutes into the game, but led 23-18 at halftime and won 54-53.
Tritz Named All-Tournament
Carli Tritz was named to the UTSA Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team following her play at the event in San Antonio Dec. 20-21. Tritz scored 14 points against UTSA and followed with a game-high 18 points and five assists against Colorado to average 16 points per game at the tournament.
Second Half Efforts
Creighton has proven to be a second-half team this season, averaging 7.1 more points per game in the second half than the first half. Take a look at the statistical breakdown between halves for Creighton.
Statistics 1st Half 2nd Half
Points/game 25.2 32.3
FG% .355 .424
3FG% .306 .342
Rebounds/game 16.0 17.5
Rebound margin -2.7 +0.4
Assists/game 5.1 7.0
Turnovers/game 9.1 7.7
Concussions are Contagious?
Well no, but two Bluejay freshmen recently missed time with concussions. Taylor Johnson missed three games (Dec. 18-21) with concussions symptoms, due to a concussions suffered in practice the week before playing Bowling Green on Dec. 18. Sammy Jensen then suffered a concussion while taking a charge in Creighton's game at UTSA (Dec. 20). Both freshmen returned to action in Creighton's MVC opener.
Bluejays Lose Norman Again
For the second straight season Riley Norman will not appear in a regular-season game for the Bluejays. The Des Moines native suffered a torn ACL during preseason practices prior to her freshman year in 2010-11 and missed the year. The forward underwent surgery for a separate knee injury on Dec. 22 and will miss all of the 2011-12 season because of the injury.
Freshman Makes History
Taylor Johnson became the first freshman in school history to make at least four three-point field goals in consecutive games earlier this year when she drained four against both NC State (Nov. 27) and at Wyoming (Dec. 1). The rookie has found her shooting touch, as she has gone 11-of-27 (.407) from long range after starting her career 1-of-14 (.071) from beyond the arc. She was the first Bluejay to make at least four threes in consecutive games since Kelsey Woodard did so in the final two games of the 2008-09 season.
Road Winning
Creighton went 4-2 on the road in non-conference action this season after posting a combined 2-8 record in non-conference road games over its previous two seasons. Creighton captured its first winning record on the road in non-conference play since Jim Flanery's first season in 2002-03 when the Bluejays went 6-2 in non-conference road games (3-2 in the regular-season and 3-0 in the WNIT). The Jays were 2-2 in non-conference road games in 2004-05 and 4-4 on the non-con road in 2003-04.
Flan Schedules the Big Boys (or Girls)
Creighton played five games against teams from BCS conferences this season, continuing a trend head coach Jim Flanery started when he took over in 2002-03. The Bluejays have played 66 games against BCS schools in that span, 26 more than the next closest MVC school – Drake (40). Flanery's 19 wins against BCS schools in that span are nine more than the next closest MVC school in that span – Illinois State (10). In fact, Flan has more wins against BCS conference (ACC, Big East, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) schools since he took over than Bradley has games played (17) against BCS schools.
MVC vs. BCS since 2002-03
School Games Wins
Creighton 66 19
Illinois State 32 10
Drake 40 9
Missouri State 32 7
Indiana State 20 6
Northern Iowa 37 4
Wichita State 21 4
Evansville 20 3
Bradley 17 3
Southern Illinois 22 0
The Ally Way Doubles
Junior Ally Jensen scored 12 points against No. 3 Notre Dame (Dec. 4) for her fourth double-figure scoring game in her first six games played this year. She scored in double figures five times in her first 10 games this season after a season-high 17 points at UTSA on Dec. 20, after she scored in double figures just four times in 31 games all season.
Nelson: 2-Time MVC Player of the Week
Whatever the opposite of a sophomore slump is, Sarah Nelson is doing it. The sophomore was named the MVC Player of the Week twice in the first three weeks of the season, earning the honor on Nov. 28 following a week in which she averaged 16.5 points and 13.5 rebounds and set career-highs for rebounds and points in a game. Nelson turned in a career-high 17 rebounds against South Dakota (Nov. 22) and followed with a career-high 22 points against NC State (Nov. 27). She made 9-of-10 shots against the Wolfpack and to finish the week 14-of-20 (.700) from the field.
• Nelson also earned MVC Player of the Week honors after the opening week of the season when she averaged 14.5 points per game and made 12-of-16 shots (.750) from the field in road wins at North Dakota and North Dakota State.
• Nelson is the first Bluejay two be named MVC Player of the Week twice in one season since Megan Neuvirth in 2008-09.
• Nelson is the first Bluejay to be named MVC Player of the Week twice in the same month since Christy Neneman in February 2002.
• Nelson scored in double figures in her first six games this year after never scoring 10+ in consecutive games at all as a freshman.
Tritz Scores Career-High 23 at Kansas
Sophomore Carli Tritz poured in a career-high 23 points at Kansas on Nov. 16, also setting career-high marks by going 9-for-18 from the field. Her previous career best of 21 points also came against a Big 12 school, scoring 21 against Nebraska at home last year.
Tritz Reaches 400 Points Rapidly
With 13 points against South Dakota (Nov. 22), sophomore Carli Tritz eclipsed 400 career points in just her 35th career game. She became the fastest Bluejay to reach 400 points since Becky Flynn scored her 400th career point in her first game as a sophomore in 1993. Flynn reached 400 points in her 29th career game. If you're curious about other recent Bluejays to quickly reach 400 – Christy Neneman (37), Kelsey Woodard (38) and Laura Spanheimer (39) – were all edged out by Tritz.
Double-Double-Double
Sarah Nelson posted back-to-back double-doubles against South Dakota (Nov. 22) and NC State (Nov. 27). Nelson is the first Bluejay to post consecutive double-doubles since Sam Schuett did so on Jan. 2 & 7, 2010. The sophomore has three double-doubles on the year after logging just one double-dime all of last season.
Nelson Grabs 17 Rebounds
Sarah Nelson had the best rebounding game by a Bluejay since 2003 on Nov. 22 when she pulled down 17 rebounds against South Dakota. The 17 boards were not only a career-high, but they were also a D.J. Sokol Arena record. The 17 caroms were the most by a Bluejay since two-time MVC Player of the Year Christy Neneman snagged 17 rebounds against Indiana State on Feb. 27, 2003. The 17 rebounds are tied for the 10th-most in a single game in school history.
3s by the Dozen
Creighton made a season-high 12 three-pointer in its 74-67 win over NC State (Nov. 27). The game marked the 20th time under Jim Flanery the Bluejays have made at least 12 triples in one game, moving Creighton's record to 16-4 (.800) under Flan when making at least 12 threes. The Jays are now 33-11 (.750) under Flan when making 10 or more three-pointers in a game.
Career Highs All Around
The Bluejays had four players score career-high point totals in their 74-67 win over NC State (Nov. 27), led by Sarah Nelson's 22 points. Taylor Johnson entered the NC State game with 13 points scored in her first four collegiate games before snapping out of her shooting funk by hitting 4-of-10 three-pointers and finishing with 15 points. Junior Jasmin Corbin scored a career-high nine points, making a career-best 6-of-6 free throws, and sophomore Jordan Garrison finished with a career-high nine points by making 3-of-5 three-pointers in her first career start. Junior Ally Jensen dished a career-high seven assists – three more than her previous career-best – while she also equalled her career-high with six rebounds against the Wolfpack.
Garrison Returns to Form
Sophomore Jordan Garrison missed the first 12 games of her freshman season and played in just 16 due to a stress fracture in her left leg. The three-point sharp-shooter made 4-of-20 (.200) shots from long range in her 16 games played last year. Turn the page to this season and she has made 14-of-42 (.33) three-point shots in her first 11 games, which included her first career start against NC State (Nov. 27). Garrison made 3-of-5 threes for a career-best nine points against NC State.
Flan's Movement
Creighton opened the season with a 72-54 win at North Dakota, earning head coach Jim Flanery his 171st career victory. That win moved him ahead of his predecessor Connie Yori (170) alone into second place on the CU career victories chart. He now trails only Bruce Rasmussen's (currently Creighton's AD) 196 wins for tops in school history.
Creighton Coaching Wins
Name Wins Seasons
Bruce Rasmussen 196 12
Jim Flanery 176 10
Connie Yori 170 10
Gaye Kinnett 33 3
Eddye McClure 26 3
Howard Faber 11 1
Not So Rocky Road
The Bluejays won their first two road games of the season for the first time since 1995. Creighton opened the season with consecutive road wins in its first two games for the first time in school history. Prior to its 72-54 win at North Dakota to open the year, Creighton had not won its first road game of the season since 1999 and had not won a season-opener on the road since 1998.
Bluejays Blowout Bison
Creighton blasted North Dakota State 71-51 on Nov. 13, the Bluejays' first 20-point non-conference road win since a 78-56 win at Colorado State on Nov. 24, 2007. It marked just the third non-conference road win of at least 20 points under head coach Jim Flanery, with the first coming on Dec. 20, 2002 – 80-57 at UC Irvine.
Preseason Picks
The Bluejays have been picked to finish fourth in the MVC preseason poll as voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. Sophomore Carli Tritz was named to the five-member preseason all-MVC team after her outstanding freshman campaign. Missouri State captured 36 first-place votes and are the preseason favorites, while UNI received the remaining four votes and is picked to finish second. Wichita State is the only other team picked above Creighton this year.
We're Still Young
One season after half of the roster was made up of freshmen, the 2011-12 roster consists of 12 players, nine of which are underclassmen. The Bluejays have one senior (DaNae Moore), two juniors, five sophomores, three true freshmen and one redshirt freshman on the roster.
Creighton's Sister Act Continues
One of the three freshmen on this year's team is Sammy Jensen, the younger sister of junior Ally Jensen, continuing the recent trend of sisters playing for the Bluejays. Last year, Kellie and Sarah Nelson played alongside each other. Before the Nelson's played together, the last recorded sister duo to play on the same Bluejay basketball squad was Peggy and Patty Bierle during the 1978-79 season. Kelsey Woodard (2007-11) followed older sister Kristi (2002-06) and Laura Spanheimer (2001-05) followed in the steps of her older sister Krissie (1997-01) to solidify this basketball program as true family environment.
Nebraska Natives
Five of Creighton's 12 players on this year's roster are from Nebraska – Omaha products Jasmin Corbin (Millard West) and Sarah Nelson (Westside), Seward High graduate Alyssa Kamphaus, Wahoo Bishop Neumann product McKenzie Fujan and Alexis Akin-Otiko out of Bellevue West.
The Bellevue Bloodline
Freshman Alexis Akin-Otiko continues a trend at Creighton which began in 2002-03. Akin-Otiko attended Bellevue West, following in the footsteps of former Bluejays and fellow Bellevue West Thunderbirds Kristi and Kelsey Woodard. Kristi played for the Jays from 2002-06 and Kelsey played from 2007-11, meaning one T-Bird has been on the roster every year since 2002-03 – with the exception of 2006-07. CU has had at least one player from Bellevue on the roster every season for the last decade, as Chevelle Herring, a Bellevue East product, played from 2005-10.
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