Creighton
Bluejays

Updated: January 8, 2009, 3:00 AM EST

In four conference games, Creighton has been outrebounded by an average margin of six rebounds per game. Only Indiana State (minus-7.3) is worse. Overall, Creighton is outrebounded by an average of 3.3 rebounds per game and have had the rebounding advantage in just six of its 16 games.

Individual players called upon to provide the rebounds have struggled mightily in conference action. Starting post player Kenny Lawson Jr. averages 4.7 rebounds per game overall, but has snared just two per game in Missouri Valley Conference games. Kenton Walker is averaging 3.3 rebounds in conference games, but is having trouble staying on the floor as he played just five minutes against Northern Iowa. Swingman Justin Carter is leading the Bluejays in rebounds in conference games with 4.8 rebounds.

Creighton plays Bradley, Southern Illinois and Wichita State in its next three games. Each of those three, save the Salukis, outrebound their opponents on average. It could get worse before it gets better for the Bluejays on the boards.

NORTHERN IOWA 69, CREIGHTON 66: After overcoming a Northern Iowa lead that peaked at nine in the second half, Creighton couldn't hold on to its own 65-62 lead with three minutes left as the Bluejays lost their second straight and fell to Northern Iowa in Omaha for the first time since 1996. The loss also ended a 14-game winning streak at the Qwest Center for the Bluejays.

A jumper by Northern Iowa's Ali Farokhmanesh broke a 65-65 deadlock with 1:14 to go and Farokmanesh made two free throws with nine seconds left to clinch it for the Panthers. Creighton, which came into the game as the ninth-best free-throw shooting team in the nation, missed four of its last five free-throw attempts, including a miss by Cavel Witter with 42 seconds left that could have tied the game.

Though Creighton led by as much as eight in the first half, its 39.6 percent shooting versus Northern Iowa's 49 percent shooting proved to be its undoing. P'Allen Stinnett led Creighton with 17 points, joined by Booker Woodfox with 12 points and Witter with 11. Justin Carter led the Bluejays with six rebounds, but struggled with one of seven shooting from the field.

Creighton could do little to slow down Northern Iowa starters Farokhmanesh, Adam Koch, Kwadzo Ahelegbe and Johnny Moran, who led all scorers with 22. They combined to score all but six of Northern Iowa's points.

Rebounding has been a problem all season for the Bluejays. Altman let his team know others regarded them as soft earlier in the season. The motivational ploy has the sting of truth. Creighton entered their Jan. 6 game ranked ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebound margin at minus-3.0.

Against Illinois State, 6-foot-9 Kenny Lawson grabbed three rebounds in 22 minutes and 6-foot-9 Kenton Walker grabbed three in 15 minutes. Reserve forward Kaleb Korver led Creighton with six rebounds. Guard P'Allen Stinnett had five.

Against many teams, Creighton can force enough turnovers and make enough 3s to compensate. Not against the likes of Illinois State, which outrebounded Creighton by six in one game and 21 in the other of two meetings last season. The Redbirds won both by double digits. In the second, they scored 27 points on second-chance baskets. The Redbirds stole Creighton's spot as Valley favorite with the recent win. Creighton needs to get stronger in the lane to earn it back.

Illinois State also exposed another Creighton weakness. The Redbirds held leading scorer Booker Woodfox to 11 points, six below his average, and forced him to take 11 shots (making two) to reach that figure. No other Bluejay stepped up. Creighton's total of 64 points is its lowest since a 54-52 loss at Nebraska in November.

Illinois State possesses the big, athletic players to guard Woodfox and Stinnett. Not many other Valley teams do. Other teams will no doubt take note of Creighton's 5-of-18 shooting from 3-point range and try to duplicate that result.

--The loss to Illinois State ended a nine-game win streak for the Bluejays, their longest since the 2003-04 team won 12 straight to start the season.

--Creighton has lost four straight to Illinois State and four straight at Redbird Arena. The teams meet in Omaha on Feb. 28.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm really disappointed with our lack of physical play and our lack of defense. A lot of that had to do with Illinois State. They popped the ball around and moved it, and we just couldn't catch up with them." -- Creighton coach Dana Altman, after a loss to Illinois State on Jan. 3.

GAME REVIEW:

Creighton 68, Wichita State 56

Creighton 79, Indiana State 61

Illinois State 86, Creighton 64

Northern Iowa 69, Creighton 66

GAME PREVIEW:

at Bradley, Saturday, Jan. 10

vs. Southern Illinois, Wednesday, Jan. 14

at Wichita State, Saturday, Jan. 17

IN FOCUS: Two weeks ago, Bradley didn't look like much of a factor. That's changed. The Braves are quick and athletic in the backcourt, so they can match up with Creighton's guards. The Bluejays can exploit Bradley center David Collins in the lane. The Braves rely on penetration more than 3-pointers, so the Creighton guards must be ready to guard the dribble.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Swingman Justin Carter's scoring has fallen off recently. After reaching double-figure scoring in three of four games in late December, Carter has cooled and averaged 7.0 points in his last three games. In that stretch, Carter is seven of 21 from the field.

--Booker Woodfox's Creighton-record streak of 36 straight free throws ended at a crucial time for Creighton. Woodfox missed a pair of free throws with 2:27 left against Northern Iowa, either of which would have broken a 65-65 tie in a game the Panthers ultimately won.

--The Bluejays only have one player in the league's top 10 in scoring in conference-only games -- P'Allen Stinnett is 10th at 14.5 points per game. In overall individual scoring, Booker Woodfox is third at 16.8 points and Stinnett is eighth at 12.9 points.

--P'Allen Stinnett scored 22 points against Indiana State, his high since 30 against New Mexico in the season opener. He made a career-high six 3-pointers on eight attempts.