The Creighton women’s basketball team could find itself increasingly relying on a weapon that it hadn’t planned to use much this season.

In their first two wins, the Bluejays have forced 44 turnovers, many coming off their half-court trapping press. That’s allowed them to outscore opponents by 18 in points off turnovers.

“It’s nice to be able to put pressure on teams,’’ Creighton forward Megan Neuvirth said. “We’ve been able to create some things off turnovers, and that could be a huge advantage for us this season.’’

Creighton coach Jim Flanery, whose team plays tonight at Marquette, wasn’t planning on utilizing the press much this season. One concern was the Bluejays’ depth — they have just 10 players on the roster, with two of them being untested freshmen.

But the effectiveness of the press in a scrimmage against Iowa and the Bluejays’ exhibition game against UNO left Flanery encouraged.

“Until we scrimmaged Iowa, I didn’t think we’d press much this season,’’ Flanery said. “But it was real effective then, and it was real effective against UNO. It’s hard to back away from it because it makes us a little more explosive on offense.

“And we’re much more capable of creating offense off our defense than we were last year.’’

The press had been a part of Creighton’s arsenal for much of Flanery’s tenure as coach, but the Bluejays junked it last season when early-season injuries to Sam Schuett and Michelle Kaus left them short-handed.

They had to slow down their offense and rely primarily on three players for offensive production: Neuvirth, Chevelle Herring and Kelsey Woodard. All three averaged more than 35 minutes a game, and the Bluejays couldn’t afford to make them expend extra energy chasing opposing players in the press.

Schuett’s return after missing last season with an ankle injury allowed Flanery to pull the press out of mothballs. At 6-foot, Schuett is long and athletic enough to create problems for opponents when the Bluejays spring a half-court trap.

“Sam is such a key in what she can do at the top of the press,’’ Flanery said. “And that allows Megan to play center field more and get more steals when we do trap. Sam alone makes us better in the press.’’

The ability of freshmen Jasmin Corbin and Ally Jensen to step right in also has been important, Flanery said.

“They keep Chevy from having to do as much on both ends,’’ Flanery said. “And that makes her more effective at the top of the press.’’

Herring is excited about the potential of the Bluejays’ press as the season evolves.

“We’re trying to be more of a running team this year,’’ the senior guard said. “A lot of the decisions we’re making in the press has helped us in that regard.’’

• CU Notes: The Bluejays are trying for their first win in a road opener since 1999, in addition to starting the season with three straight wins for the first time since 1992. ... Marquette, led by preseason All-Big East guard Angel Robinson, is 1-1. The Golden Eagles defeated St. Francis at home but lost at Michigan. ... Creighton owns a 4-1 edge in the series, with the loss coming in the 2008 Women’s National Invitation Tournament. ... Creighton’s 28 3-pointers in its first two games is a school record for a two-game span.

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com