In the past, if the Creighton Bluejays failed to make the NCAA tournament and were not invited to participate in the National Invitational Tournament, they would have ended their season after the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. This year things were different.
After struggling to find consistency for most of the year, the College Insiders Tournament, a post-season tournament in its second year of existence, was the Bluejay’s way to extend their season. The Bluejays could continue to practice and potentially play four more games.
After handling the University of South Dakota in the first round of the CIT, the Bluejays welcomed the Stags of Fairfield to the Omaha Civic Auditorium for a second round match-up on Monday night. The Bluejays led throughout most of the game and ended up winning 73-55. It proved to be a big night for senior forward Justin Carter and junior center Kenny Lawson Jr.
Carter finished the night with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, and Lawson led the Jays in scoring with 17 points and added 8 more rebounds.
Coach Altman was glad to have both of his top scorers returning to form after a rough game against South Dakota.
“They really gave us a pop. After going one for fifteen (against South Dakota) they really bounced back and had two good offensive games,” Altman said.
Following the win over Fairfield, the Bluejays advanced to the semifinals for a road game at Missouri State on Wednesday – their second game in three days. While the CIT isn’t exactly where the Bluejays hoped to spend their postseason, they are still able to see the positives.
“It is nice to be playing in March, when it is getting nice outside. Regardless, we just like playing, it is what we like to do,” said sophomore guard Antoine Young. “Even though it isn’t where we want to be, it is competitive and we want to win it.”
If the Bluejays were going to win the championship, they first had to beat familiar foe Missouri State. The Bluejays and Bears split their two regular season games, with each team winning at home.
The winning ways of the home team continued on Wednesday as the Bluejays dropped the game 67-61, ending their season.
The Bluejays were successful in holding Kyle Weems, a member of the MVC first team, to zero points in the game, but guards Nafis Ricks and Adam Leonard each dropped 15 points to lead the Bears to victory. After playing two games in three days, fatigue may have been a factor as the Bluejays allowed the Bears to outscore them 15-9 in the final six and a half minutes of play.
Although the Bluejays were not successful in taking the tournament crown, they were able to get more practices in, and also provided more playing time for some of the Bluejays’ younger players.
Lawson Jr. realizes that not all was lost on Wednesday night.
“I think it is key for a lot of younger guys to get some extra games under their belt going into next season,” Lawson Jr. said. “It is just about getting better every day.”
Altman echoed Lawson Jr.’s sentiments about the benefits of postseason play.
“We just have to keep playing. I would rather them (wins over South Dakota and Fairfield) be back-to-back in another tournament, but it is good for our team and our young guys,” said Altman.
Wednesday night concluded the college basketball careers of three Bluejays. Carter, along with guard Cavel Witter and forward/center Chad Millard have now played their last game in a Creighton uniform.
The status of suspended guard P’Allen Stinnett is still unresolved at the season’s end, but even if he does not return, the Jays will still return four of their five starters at season’s end.
The CIT Championship will take place early next week as the Missouri State Bears will take on the winner of the Pacific vs. Northern Colorado semifinal game.