OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha women's basketball team lost its first home game of the season on Sunday evening to Creighton, 69-46. The Mavericks dropped to 7-4 overall, while the Bluejays improved to 5-6 on the season.
Caroline Hogue and Mikaela Shaw each had a team-best 16 points for Omaha. Hogue went 6-of-18 from the field, including a 3-of-5 effort from long range. She also grabbed six rebounds and blocked three shots. Shaw was 6-of-16 from the field with seven boards and two assists. Abi Lujan grabbed seven rebounds and added four points. Ellie Brecht was held without a point, but grabbed six boards.
Creighton was led by Audrey Faber's 21 points, five assists, and three blocks. MC McGrory added 11 points and five boards, while Bailey Norby chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.
Omaha was limited to shooting 28.8 percent (17-59) from the floor and 21.1 percent (4-19) from 3-point range. The Mavericks were also 50 percent (8-16) at the free throw line. Creighton hit 40.9 percent (27-66) of its shots from the floor, including 38.5 percent (10-26) from long range. The Bluejays connected on 83.3 percent (5-6) of their free throws.
UNO trailed Creighton 15-3 in the first quarter after being outscored 11-1 in the first 6:11 of the game. The Mavericks cut the Bluejay's lead to single digits in the second quarter on a 3-pointer from Hogue, making the score 22-13 with 4:33 to play. Creighton would extend its lead back to double digits by the end of the half, 32-16.
Creighton opened the third quarter with a 10-3 run to take a 23 point lead, 42-19. A Lujan lay-up with 3:42 left in the quarter cut the lead to 18, 45-27. Omaha would get within 18 points in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer from Kalen Phillips with 3:21 left in the game. The Bluejays closed the game out on a 7-2 run to make the final, 69-46.
Omaha wraps up non-conference play on Tuesday, Dec. 22 against Utah Valley. Tip-off from Baxter Arena is set for 2 p.m.
