DES MOINES, Iowa– The No. 20 Creighton Bluejays went on the road and handled business, taking down the Drake Bulldogs 89-78 behind a 31-point performance from senior forward Emma Ronsiek.
After a back-and-forth start, in which each team’s first four possessions consisted of a jump ball, a made three-pointer, a steal, and a basket in the paint, Creighton managed to create separation late in the first quarter by shutting down the Bulldogs’ interior offense, holding them 2-10 from 2 while building a 19-10 lead.
Drake fought back hard in the second quarter, starting on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 19, but the Jays once again took over the end of the quarter, going 5-9 from three and taking a 40-28 lead into halftime.
“Especially against a team like Drake, you’re going to go on runs, they’re going to go on runs,” Ronsiek said. “I think it’s just keeping you’re composure. When you’re up, you’re not really up against Drake, and when you’re down, you’re not really down.”
The third quarter was all about offense, as neither defense seemed to have any answers. Both teams shot over 60% from the field and over 55% from three as Creighton put up 30 points while Drake put up 31 in the chaotic quarter. Ronsiek took the reigns for Creighton, shooting seven for seven including a pair of threes on her way to a 16-point quarter despite picking up an early third foul.
“I think being a three point threat, not that I wasn’t last year but I’m definitely shooting at a higher clip than I was in my first three years, I think that gives defenses a different look when they’re trying to guard me on the three because then it opens up driving lanes,” Ronsiek said.
Ronsiek continued her dominance into the fourth quarter, putting up nine of the Jays’ 19 as they maintained their 11-point lead throughout the final quarter. Creighton’s second-half lead never fell below nine points, keeping Drake from ever truly getting within striking range.
The game mirrored last year’s matchup between Creighton and Drake, in which Creighton took a 17-point lead with around eight minutes left, but last year, the Bulldogs were able to fight their way to a one possession game late.
“I think it’s just maturity, playing together and belief in each other,” head coach Jim Flanery said. “We weren’t perfect, particularly on the defensive end, but we were good enough. What we said before the game is Drake is going to score three or four possessions in a row, and they’re going to have you spinning a little on the defensive end, but you can’t let that affect your offense.”
The game served as a bounce back following a narrow loss at Marquette, but the loss earlier in the week still caused the Jays to drop to No. 21, shared with Florida State, in Monday’s AP poll.
Creighton returns home for a matchup with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on Thursday, Dec. 21 to close out the nonconference season. Tipoff will be at 6 p.m. at D.J. Sokol Arena.