Creighton: 21 steals drive 66-60 road win
Bluejays exploited 24 opponent turnovers to overcome 38.3% field goal shooting and extend season-opening road winning streak.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Creighton women’s basketball defeated North Dakota State 66-60 on Monday, securing their second consecutive road victory of the season. The Bluejays relied on defensive pressure rather than offensive efficiency to secure the win, finishing the game with a 2-0 record.
The disparity in ball security defined the contest. NDSU committed 24 turnovers, which Creighton converted into 20 points. The Bluejays recorded 21 steals, the first occurring 92 seconds into the game. Creighton shot 38.3% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range, metrics that typically hinder a win, but the forced errors kept the Bison within a four-point margin at no point after the first quarter.
Neleigh Gessert led the defensive effort with seven steals. Kendall McGee added four, while Nia Holloway and Allison Heathcock recorded three each. Offensively, point guard Ava Zediker led all scorers with 25 points on 10-of-22 shooting. Holloway, a transfer from Minnesota, contributed eight points and 10 rebounds.
North Dakota State entered the game missing two starters, including forward Avery Koenen, who suffered a severe leg injury last week. Karrington Asp led the Bison with 20 points, and Marisa Frost added 15. The Bison started the game with a 5-0 lead, but Creighton responded with a 14-0 run following a Heathcock steal with 8:28 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bluejays hold the Summit League’s third opponent on Wednesday. They will travel to Sioux Falls to face South Dakota.
