Despite a 2-3 record, the loss of two key players and three games against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, the Creighton women’s basketball team is staying positive.
“[Coach Jim] Flan[ery] always talks about adversity and needing toughness to win,” junior forward Megan Neuvirth said in a phone interview from Norman, Okla. “We are fighting and not giving up.”
After a season-opening loss on the road at Arkansas State, the Jays came home and lost two games by a total of nine points to Nebraska and Iowa State. The Jays lost to No. 6 Oklahoma 69-49 Wednesday night.
“We have gone down to the wire so far against teams from the Big 12,” Flanery said in a phone interview from Norman, Okla., before the game. “We just have to play closer to our potential to be successful.”
With the loss of junior guard Sam Schuett (left ankle) and senior guard Michelle Kaus (torn left ACL), certain players knew they had to step up.
One of those players was Neuvirth. She averaged 14.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in CU’s two wins last week and had double-doubles in both games.
“When Sam and Michelle went down, everyone knew they needed to step up,” Neuvirth said. “I have just been having the ball bounce my way these last few games.”
The Jays are shooting a crisp 41.1 percent from beyond the arc, despite losing one of their best long-range shooters in Kaus. The team leads the Missouri Valley Conference and ranks 10th in the NCAA in that category.
Junior guard Chevelle Herring has returned from a preseason knee injury to lead the team with 16.4 points per game.
“Chevy is such a dynamic offensive player.” Flanery said. “We are doing things to be sure and maximize her scoring potential.”
By the time the Jays end the non-conference portion of their schedule, they will have played five Big 12 teams, five 20-win teams and four opponents which advanced past the first round of the NCAA tournament last year.
Flanery hopes playing good teams will make the Jays a force to be reckoned with when it comes time for MVC play. But he knows there are things that must improve.
“We are a good offensive team,” Flanery said. “But we need to do a better job rebounding and getting tougher on the floor. We are not consistent in that category yet.”