DESTIN, Fla. – A big first half for Creighton became too much to overcome for Wichita State as the Bluejays soared past the Shockers, 91-63, Monday evening in the first round of the Beach Bracket at the inaugural Emerald Coast Classic women’s tournament.
Jayla Murray scored a career-high 16 points, and Salese Blow and Jasmine Peaks joined her in double figures with 14 and 10, respectively, a Division I career high for Peaks, but five double figures performances from the Bluejays led Creighton to a 28-point victory,
Ornella Niankan opened the game with a three and Jayla Murray scored four inside to keep it tied at 7-7 before Creighton went on a 13-0 run as Wichita State shot 0-for-7 over the next five minutes, giving the Bluejays a 20-7 lead. Creighton ended the quarter up 12 after forcing seven Shocker turnovers and didn’t relinquish its lead for the remainder of the game.
KP Parr hit a pair of free throws to score the Shockers’ first points of the second quarter after the Bluejays scored six straight to open the period, and Salese Blow hit a three to cut the deficit back to 13. Despite a pair of layups from Blow and Ella Anciaux, the Bluejays stretched their lead to 25 to head into halftime up 50-25.
Creighton led by as many as 33 in the second half, but Murray and Bre’Yon White combined for 10 of the Shockers 15 points in the third quarter, and Peaks scored eight of her 10 points in the second half as the Shockers only lost the half by three.
The Bluejays shot 32-for-62 (.516) from the field and 19-for-22 (.864) from the line, forcing 20 Wichita State turnovers and winning the battle of the boards 34-25.
The Shockers recorded their best free throw percentage of the season, shooting 13-for-15 (.867) from the line and finished the game 24-for-51 (.471) from the floor.
Wichita State takes on Missouri, who lost to Syracuse 82-59 in the first round, Tuesday evening at 5 p.m. in Raider Arena.
