Lady Rebels take aim at WNIT title

Tuesday, March 30, 2004 | 9:43 a.m.

OMAHA, Neb. -- There must be something in the water -- or least the corn fields -- around here that adds distance and trajectory to one's jump shot.

Two days after withstanding a barrage of Iowa State 3-point baskets to post a 65-59 victory in the Women's National Invitation Tournament semifinals, the Lady Rebels most likely will have to do it again against Creighton if they're to bring the championship trophy back to Las Vegas.

"They're just like Iowa State, only a little smaller," UNLV coach Regina Miller said Monday as the Lady Rebels (26-7) continued preparations for today's 5:05 p.m. WNIT title game at the Civic Auditorium here.

But if the Lady Rebels thought the Cyclones liked to fire up jump shots from the back 40, they haven't seen anything yet. Creighton (24-9) ranks third in the nation in 3-point field goals and features six players who have made at least five long ones in a game this year.

That means UNLV may grow arm weary simply by getting a hand in the faces of the Bluejays' shooters. And the Lady Rebels might want to get both hands up when Creighton guard Dayna Finch gets her feet set from beyond the arc, as she is the Missouri Valley Conference's most prolific 3-point specialist of all-time with 290 made.

Creighton is averaging nearly eight 3-pointers and has made 10 or more in six games. In WNIT victories against Colorado State (79-69) of the Mountain West, Washington (74-69), Oregon State (74-64) and Richmond (81-72), the Bluejays have rung the bell 9, 9, 9, and 8 times from way downtown.

"We can't play them a zone," Miller said. "The thing we want to prevent is them turning the corner (with the dribble) which they do, along with off-the-ball screens, to set their shooters up."

Miller said while the Bluejays shoot the ball like Iowa State, they run the court like Western Kentucky, which repeatedly beat the Lady Rebels down the floor for easy baskets in last week's quarterfinal game at Cox Pavilion.

She harped on transition defense at Monday's shootaround, which turned into a pretty vigorous practice by the time it was over.

"We can't celebrate after we score," Miller said. "I told them if we are fortunate enough to win, there will be plenty of time to celebrate afterward."

Miller said defense and rebounding, especially on the offensive end, where rugged forwards RanDee Henry and Sherry McCracklin should have a big edge in size and strength, will be crucial. UNLV will also want to keep Creighton off the free-throw line, as the Bluejays are shooting 89 percent (63-for-71) from the stripe in the WNIT.

While the Lady Rebels hope to use tonight's game as a springboard to bigger and better things, such as last year's WNIT champion Auburn did in qualifying for this year's NCAA tournament, the game will be more of a swan song for senior-dominated Creighton.

The Bluejays, who have made it to two consecutive WNIT final fours and played in the NCAA tournament the year before that, definitely have an edge in postseason experience.

But narrow victories over Arizona State, Rice, Western Kentucky and Iowa State in the WNIT have the Lady Rebels thinking they might be the team of destiny, Creighton's significant home court advantage (11-1 this year) notwithstanding.

"They way we look at it, it's a court and a hoop," Miller said. "I feel like the players want to complete the mission and that they'll play with a sense of purpose. We've come this far, so I think they'll give everything in an effort to win the tournament."