Rockford, Ill. — Sophomore Carly Bachelor delivered career-highs with 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Creighton womens basketball team to a win over Bowling Green in the opening round of the WNIT (Womens National Invitational Tournament) on Friday, March 19.
The victory moved the Bluejays to 10-11 on the season, while Bowling Green fell to 20-7.
A turnover heavy opening 12 minutes (14) gave Creighton a hole to climb as the Bluejays trailed 24-14 under eight minutes left in the first half. Creightons slow climb back into the game started with 7:05 remaining in the second on a back cut to the basket by Bachelor. The Bluejays went on to score the next 11 points of the game, claiming a 25-24 lead with 3:34 remaining in the half. Bachelor and freshman Jayme Horan led the charge with four and three respectively.
The Falcons reclaimed the advantage quickly with a three-ball from Elissa Brett. Creighton responded as junior Payton Brotzki drilled a trey, then senior Temi Carda pushed the Bluejay lead to 30-27 (2:17) with a driving layup. The Bluejays went on to take a 34-33 edge into the locker room at the half.
Locked in a 36-36 battle early in the third quarter, Creighton took control with a trio of trifectas in under a minute. Senior Temi Carda got the surge started from the left wing, then freshman Morgan Maly and Bachelor chimed in to push the Bluejay lead to 45-36 (7:27). Creighton did not relinquish their advantage the rest of the way.
Bachelors 20 points and 13 rebounds led Creighton, while Carda finished with 19 points and Maly delivered 11 points. Bowling Green got a game-high 22 points from 22 Kadie Hempfling and 15 points from Nyla Hampton.
The new format of the WNIT puts both Creighton and Bowling Green back in action Saturday as Creighton faces Northern Iowa at 5:00 pm in the winners bracket, while Bowling Green faces Dayton in the consolation bracket.
