Bluejay Women's Basketball Falls at Providence, 80-77

Providence, R.I. -- Despite having possession with a chance to tie in the closing moments, Creighton Women's Basketball suffered an 80-77 loss at Providence on Saturday, January 17. The loss moved Creighton to 7-11 on the season and 3-6 in BIG EAST, while Providence climbed to 10-10 overall and 3-6 in conference contests.

Down 5-0 in the opening moments, freshmen Neleigh Gessert and Ava Zediker answered the challenge as Gessert connected from the outside and Zediker delivered a driving layup. Providence regained the advantage to build a 16-9 edge with under three minutes remaining, setting the stage for a furious finish by Creighton. Norah Gessert obliged with a three-ball that kicked off a 10-0 Bluejay surge. Veteran leaders Kennedy Townsend and Grace Boffeli each dropped in a bucket on the interior, then Townsend gave Creighton its first lead at 19-16 with 58 seconds remaining and held a 21-18 edge as the game moved to the second quarter.

Providence's Orlagh Gormley torched the Bluejays for 12 points in the second quarter, hitting all five of her field goals. Gormley scored 10 of the Friars first 12 points to help Providence reclaim the lead at 30-27 (5:10). Creighton responded with eight of the next 10 points, getting contributions from four different players to surge ahead 35-32. After four quick points from the Friars, Neleigh Gessert connected from long range on the Bluejays final possession of the half to send Creighton to the locker room with a 38-36 edge.

The third quarter was a seesaw affair as the Bluejays pushed their lead out to five in the opening minutes, including on a trey from Zediker to make it 46-41 (6:31). Providence countered with a 13-2 run to take a 54-48 advantage with 2:33 left in the frame. The Bluejays came back to score seven of the final nine points in the frame and go to the fourth down 56-55.

The battle continued throughout the fourth as Providence pushed out to a six-point edge (62-56) and Creighton closed within one at 68-67 with 3:27 left. The Friars scored the next five points to take a 73-67 lead with under one minute. Trailing 78-75 with 36 seconds left the Bluejays forced a turnover on a held ball, but a three-point attempt from Townsend was blocked to thwart Creighton.

Townsend led the Bluejays with 18 points, while Zediker finished with 17. Boffeli and Neleigh Gessert each also reached double-digits with 14 points.

Providence got a game-high 22 points from Sabou Gueye and a career-high 21 from Orlagh Gormley. Two other Friars posted double figures, getting 12 from Sami Mancini and 10 from Sophi Hall.

Creighton returns to the hardwood on Tuesday, January 20 as the Bluejays host Xavier in D.J. Sokol Arena. The contest is scheduled for a 6:00 pm (CT) tip.