Creighton Women Get Comeback Win In Big East Tournament

Uncasville, Conn. -- Down 52-40 midway through the third quarter, #23 Creighton Women's Basketball took its first lead of the second half with 1:17 remaining and went on to defeat 10th seeded Georgetown 72-70 in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament on Saturday, March 8.

The win lifted Creighton to 25-5 on the season, while Georgetown moved to 12-19.

The game began to turn Creighton's way with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter by a trey from senior Morgan Maly. It was the only made three-pointer of the second half. Georgetown responded with a driving bucket from Kelsey Ransom, but Creighton answered with six straight points on a driving layup from Molly Mogensen, two free throws from Lauren Jensen and a layup by Maly to bring the score to 54-49 (3:11). The Hoyas pushed the lead back out to double digit with consecutive buckets but two free throws from junior Kiani Lockett and a driving layup by Jensen to send the game to the fourth with Georgetown up 59-53.

Georgetown slowed the game down in the fourth by using the entire shot clock. The plan held Creighton at bay for over seven minutes as the Bluejays trailed 68-64 with under three minutes left. The Bluejays surged into the lead with six straight on two free throws from Lockett, a layup by Jensen to knot the game, then senior Mallory Brake picked the pocket of Ransom and raced for a layup to give the Bluejays the lead 70-68 (1:17).

Georgetown pulled even one final time thanks to a pair of free throws by Ranson with 49 seconds left. Each team missed an opportunity, then the Hoyas fouled Locket with 4.3 seconds remaining to put Creighton in front for good.

Early in the game both teams were on fire, shooting 50% from the field in the first quarter. Creighton went 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in the frame to grab a 22-16 edge. The second quarter, however, belonged to Georgetown. The Hoyas scored 30 points in the quarter, capped by a buzzer beating trey from Khadee Hession to send Creighton to the locker room down 46-38.

Jensen led the Bluejays with 22 points, while Maly finished with 20 points. The Bluejays moved to 7-0 when at least two players scored 20 points or more this season. Georgetown's Kelsey Ransom delivered 20 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, while Ariel Jenkins finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Creighton returns to action on Sunday, March 9 against No. 3 Seton Hall at 4:00 pm (CT).