Woodard's Second Half Carries Creighton Past North Dakota State 51-40

FARGO, N.D.--Kelsey Woodard scored 15 of her game-high 17 points in the second half to lead Creighton University to a 51-40 win over host North Dakota State University in a non-conference women's basketball game played Monday, Dec. 29,  before 1,107 fans at the Bison Sports Arena. North Dakota State (4-6) lost its third straight game. The Bison host Jamestown College (11-3) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30. The Jimmies are ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Division II. The Bison led 22-18 at halftime and 32-21 with 15:05 left in the second half on a pair of Nicole Vigil free throws. However, Creighton (5-6) caught fire and hit 11 of 23 from the field in the second half including 6 of 8 from the three-point line. The Blue Jays, which won their third straight game, outscored the Bison 30-8 over the last 15 minutes. Woodard hit all four of her three-point shots in the second half including back-to-back threes at one stretch that gave the Blue Jays a 43-37 lead with 6:22 left. Woodard hit 5 of 9 from the field overall including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc. North Dakota State did cut the deficit to 43-40 as Jill Zaruba made a layyp and free throw at the 5:47 mark. However, it was the final points of the game for the Bison. Zaruba led NDSU with 10 points, while Jerri Penley pulled down 13 rebounds. North Dakota State made only 28.8 percent from the field including 11.1 percent from the three-point line. Megan Neuvirth pulled down 10 rebounds as Creighton outrebounded the Bison 43-36.  Chevelle Herring scored 11 points and overcame a 4 of 17 shooting night from the field.