CreightonâÂÂs Christy Neneman, the 2001-02 Missouri Valley Conference womenâÂÂs basketball player of the year, averaged 17.8 points and 8.2 rebounds before SaturdayâÂÂs game against Kansas University.

The Jayhawks held Neneman to 14 points and two rebounds, but sophomore guard Laura Spanheimer picked up the slack with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting in the Bluejaysâ 72-58 victory over the Jayhawks.

âÂÂShe gives us lots of toughness,â Creighton coach Jim Flanery said. âÂÂWhen Christy doesnâÂÂt play quite as well, itâÂÂs nice that we have someone like Laura whoâÂÂs consistent.âÂÂ

Neneman played just 10 minutes in the first half because she was whistled for her third foul with just less than six minutes remaining. She played just 10 more minutes in the second half, fouling out with just more than six minutes left.

âÂÂI donâÂÂt think some of the fouls should have been called, but oh well,â Neneman said. âÂÂItâÂÂs just nice to see everyone step up, especially Spanny.âÂÂ

Spanheimer helped hold off Kansas (4-3) by making three of five three-point attempts after halftime. Her 20 points were one less than her career high.

Creighton (4-2) forced Kansas into 17 first-half turnovers and led 33-24 at halftime.

Flanery said the Bluejaysâ full-court press and trapping defense forced Kansasâ post players to handle the ball more, causing turnovers.

âÂÂAgainst bigger teams, thatâÂÂs what we have to do,â he said. âÂÂThatâÂÂs our strength of play. ThatâÂÂs what our press is designed to do.âÂÂ

Although the Jayhawksâ had more height, Creighton outrebounded Kansas 30-26. The Bluejays had 14 offensive rebounds and added 15 points in the paint to the Jayhawksâ five.

Flanery said the defensive pressure made for tired Jayhawks, which led to more Bluejay rebounds.

âÂÂWeâÂÂre not a great rebounding team,â Flanery said. âÂÂBut we do some things defensively that help. Those things translate into getting to the ball. Rebounding is about not being tired, not just tall.âÂÂ

After pressing most of the first half, Creighton didnâÂÂt play tired after halftime and outscored Kansas 39-34.

âÂÂIn the last 10 minutes, every time we gave something up, we came back and had an answer,â Flanery said. âÂÂOur offensive composure was pretty good.âÂÂ