NICEVILLE, FLA. — Morgan Maly and Lauren Jensen combined for 49 points, including 12 three-point baskets, igniting Creighton to an 86-59 victory past Syracuse in the championship of the Beach Bracket in the inaugural Emerald Coast Classic women’s basketball tournament Tuesday night.
Creighton opened the game making its first four shots — all beyond the three-point arc — racing to a 12-5 lead and never looked back.
The Bluejays shot a sizzling 74.1 percent from the floor, making 20 of 27 shots, in the first half to enjoy a 55-21 halftime lead. Even more remarkable was the fact that Creighton hit 81.8 percent from three-point range making nine of 11 shots.Creighton had 19 assists on 20 baskets in the first half.
During a 4 minute 43-second stretch midway through the second quarter Creighton made seven straight shots – including three by Maly – to turn a 29-14 lead into a 47-17 cushion.
“We executed and the ball went in,” said Creighton coach Jim Flanery. “Sometimes you might execute but the ball doesn’t go in. When you shoot the ball as well as we did early, you kind of demoralize the opponent.
“We connected on passes, we thought they would come out and play zone. I thought we were prepared and our fundamentals were on point. Those shots aren’t always going to go in but they did in the first half for us.”
Creighton finished with 28 assists on 31 baskets, shooting 53.4 percent (31-58) from the floor. The Bluejays made 15 three-point baskets.
Maly, a senior forward, tallied 28 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 beyond the three-point arc.
Jensen, the reigning USBWA Women’s Basketball National Honoree of the Week, scored 21 points, making all five of her three-point shots in the first half.
It marked Jensen’s 26th career 20-plus scoring game and Maly’s 23rd career 20-plus scoring game.
Jensen was named the most outstanding player in the Beach Bracket and joined on the all-tournament teamwith Maly. Other members of the Beach Bracket All-Tournament team were Kyra Wood, Syracuse; Georgia Woolley, Syracuse; and Grace Slaughter, Missouri.
Freshman reserve forward Keira Scott led Syracuse with 11 points. The Orange shot 35.1 percent (20-57) from the floor, while committing 18 turnovers.
“I’m really happy that we chose to come here and play,” Flanery added. “It lived up to our expectations. The water is beautiful, the beaches and hotels are beautiful. This is a nice gym. Sometimes in these holiday tournaments, the facilities don’t measure up. But it was a wonderful experience.”
Creighton (4-2) will play host to Tulsa this Sunday. Syracuse (3-4) returns home to entertain Yale Sunday.
