OMAHA, Neb. – The Newman women's basketball started strong, holding an early lead at Creighton on Thursday (Nov. 5) at D.J. Sokol Arena, however, the Bluejays pulled away for a 79-52 win in exhibition play.
 
The Jets scored the first five points of the contest to gain an early 5-0 lead. After a jumper by Cierra Tjaden on the first NU possession, junior Newcomer Natalia Hausmann hit a 3-pointer for the 5-0 advantage less than 2 minutes into the game. The Jets had their largest lead of the game when a Tjaden free throw made it 8-2 with 4 minutes remaining in the first period. An 11-1 run by Creighton erased the deficit and the Bluejays pulled out to a 13-9 advantage. Newcomer Shaunice Robinson got a three-point play with 2 seconds left in the first period for a 13-12 score after 10 minutes.
 
In the second period, NU scored the first three points to get a 15-13 lead. Erica Olerich hit a layup in the first possession of the quarter, and a Mali Wright free throw made it 15-13. After falling behind 18-17, senior Lizzy Harrison hit a 3-pointer to put NU back up 20-18 with 6:27 remaining in the half. Freshman Melanie George gave NU its final lead at 22-21 with a layup midway through the second period.
 
Creighton went on an 11-0 run in the next 2 minutes to pull out to a 32-22 edge. They then scored the final eight points of the half to take a 43-27 lead into halftime.
 
In the second half, Creighton outscored the Jets 36-25 and cruised to the 79-52 win.
 
Wright, a junior forward from Sheridan, Wyo., led the Jets with 11 points. She added six rebounds in 27 minutes. Also in double figures was Tjaden with 10 points. Erica Olerich pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
 
The Jets shot 32.7 percent (16-49) from the field and 33.3 percent (5-15) from 3-point range.
 
Creighton's Audrey Faber totaled a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds. Marissa Janning added 14 points and a game-high eight assists.
 
The Bluejays shot 41.5 percent (27-65) from the field, including 63.6 percent (7-11) in the fourth period. The bench tallied 53 of the 79 points.
 
NU starts the regular season at Regis on Nov. 13 in Denver. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.