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No. 20 Creighton starts hot, sinks UNI women’s basketball
UNI Coach Tanya Warren disappointed Panthers didn’t put up more of a fight in 85-66 loss to Bluejays
CEDAR FALLS — No. 20 Creighton overwhelmed Northern Iowa on Sunday at McLeod Center, cruising to a 85-66 win.
A tough first quarter proved to be a sign of things to come as the Panthers shot just 29 percent (4-of-14) from the field and committed seven turnovers in the game’s first 10 minutes.
Creighton guard Lauren Jensen (15) dribbles during the second half of a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, March 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
The Bluejays (4-0) continued to extend their lead in the second quarter as former Hawkeye Lauren Jensen scored six of her 19 points while UNI (2-2) continued its shooting struggles, making only six of its next 16 attempts to trail by 23 at halftime.
“I’ll be honest, I was very disappointed in the first half. I thought we were in Cancun mode instead of Creighton mode,” UNI Coach Tanya Warren said. “We weren’t locked in on either side of the basketball. I was extremely disappointed with our energy, our effort and our focus in the first half.”
Creighton junior forward Emma Ronsiek scored a game-high 23 points in the win and was joined in double figures by Jensen (19), Morgan Maly (14) and Carly Bachelor (11).
Ronsiek was also key in slowing down UNI leading scorer Grace Boffelli, holding the sophomore forward to a season-low nine points.
“At halftime the coaches said the biggest thing we’re doing is we’re being hesitant,” UNI sophomore guard Maya McDemott said. “We weren’t moving the ball and I think that was our goal the second half and look at the results. We played better (in) the second half. We have to play aggressive from the start.”
Halftime adjustments helped UNI win the third quarter, 23-20, but its halftime deficit was too much to overcome. Especially shooting just 4 of 19 on 3-pointers.
McDermott and freshman Ryley Goebel each scored 14 points — a career-high for Goebel.
“I thought the second half we played with a little bit more fight, but the game (was) over,” Warren said. “Where this team has to be able to grow is, we have to be able to be ready to play every game. Every time we suit it up. We weren't ready to play the first half and honestly it started in shootaround this morning.”
UNI next travels to Mexico for the Cancun Challenge. The Panthers play Tulane (2-1) on Thursday and Vanderbilt (5-0) on Friday.
