To avoid losing both games last weekend, coach Jim Flanery’s basketball team needed an enormous comeback on Sunday afternoon, and that is just what they got.
In the Bluejays’ first game last weekend, a 63-57 home loss to Bradley, their inability to score was their downfall. The Bluejays shot below 23 percent from the field and hit only three of their 23 three-point shots.
In the second game of the weekend, a home contest against Northern Iowa, the Jays found themselves behind 18 points with only 14 minutes to play. The Bluejays were led back by senior, forward Megan Neuvirth and guard Chevelle Herring. The duo managed to score 19 of the Bluejays’ final 23 points in a thrilling 62-58 victory.
“We were disappointed to play the way we did; we very were fortunate to get one win,” Flanery said.
One of the bright spots on offense recently came in the form of junior center Kellie Nelson. Nelson, an Omaha native, was key in the Bluejays’ last two road games, which were victories over Evansville and Southern Illinois. In those games Nelson scored career high point totals in back-to-back games posting 19 points against Evansville and following that with 24 points in Carbondale. It is safe to say her teammates are taking notice.
“She has improved so much on the offensive end. She is way more aggressive than she has ever been,” Herring said. “We’re a lot more confident throwing it in to her because she is more confident. It is nice to have another option you are sure of.”
The Bluejay women will continue their journey in search of an NCAA tournament birth when the Drake Bulldogs travel to Omaha on Friday for the rivals’ first meeting of the season. The Jays currently sit a half game behind Missouri Valley Conference leader Illinois State, and they are well aware of what to do to defeat Drake when they arrive for their first game in D.J. Sokol arena.
“We know they are a defensive-minded team, usually, so we need to be able to make in-game adjustments. We just need to find some offensive identity this week and then play hard on defense,” said Neuvirth.
While the Jays obviously hold goals of winning the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title and tournament, there are some things they need to take care of before they make plans for the NCAA tournament.
“We have got to get better before we worry too much about where we are at the end of the year. I think there is a recognition that we have had some very good games, but we have not showed a consistency a team with our experience should show. Right now the biggest thing is to get better,” Flanery said.