The Creighton men’s basketball team’s 71-66 loss to Northern Iowa University on Wednesday night was the latest episode in a continuing up-and-down saga. For this year’s Bluejays, disappointing games like this have become second nature, as evidenced by last Saturday’s loss to Missouri State University.

Creighton came out of the gate strong against the Bears and built a 15-point lead by halftime. However, the momentum slowly shifted throughout the second half, and by the five-minute mark, Missouri State had crept within five. By the one minute mark the game was tied.

“I kept telling our guys to walk ourselves back in the game,” Missouri State Coach Cuonzo Martin said. “We found enough plays and got enough stops to win the game.”

Creighton had multiple chances to put the game away. With 1:35 remaining, senior guard Darryl Ashford missed two free throws, and with 27 seconds left, senior guard Kaleb Korver missed the front end of a one-and-one that could have given the Jays a three-point lead. The combination of great play by Weems in crunch time and the Jays’ mental mistakes gave the Bears an opportunity they seized.

On Jan. 19, the Jays won 81-68 at home against the struggling Bradley University Braves. The team came out with a different look than usual by starting sophomore guard Josh Jones over senior center Kenny Lawson Jr., who had started 92 straight games.

Starting Jones seemed to give the Jays’ offense the kick it needed, as they jumped out to a 49-24 lead at halftime. Jones led the team going into the break with 12 points.

“Not many people can step up when you’re called upon the way Josh did tonight,” coach Greg McDermott said. “He was huge for us.”

As good as Jones was for the Jays, the team’s frontcourt may have been better. Sophomore forward Gregory Echenique and freshman forward Doug McDermott each finished with 17 points and a double-double. Still, Echenique credited Jones for helping the posts get their points.

“[Jones’ shooting] makes it easier for us in the post,” Echenique said. “We try to work it inside out.”

The Bradley win was especially huge since the team was coming off a heartbreaking 61-59 loss at Indiana State University on Jan. 16. Creighton was led by McDermott, who scored 18 points and added eight rebounds. The Jays lost to the Sycamores on a tip-in reverse layup at the buzzer after leading most of the way.

“That was a tough one,” coach McDermott said.

There were nine other games before the loss in Terre Haute that were not covered due to holiday break. The first of these was Echenique’s debut on Dec. 18 against Idaho State University. The Jays won 66-60 and were led by junior guard Antoine Young’s 14 points.

The Jays continued their successful home stand by beating Western Illinois University 60-47 on Dec. 20. They were led by Echenique, who scored 16 points and blocked

four shots.

Creighton completed its home stand on Dec. 22 by beating Samford University 58-40. The Jays out-rebounded the Bulldogs 45-19 and were led by McDermott, who scored 14 points and added 11 rebounds.

The win over Samford provided a good benchmark for the Jays next match, their Dec. 29 conference opener against Illinois State University. The Jays beat the Redbirds 64-53 in Normal, Ill., to start conference play. Young was the highest scorer with 21 points.

“When Antoine plays like that we’re going to be tough to beat,” coach McDermott said.

After the win over Illinois State, the team beat Drake University 73-57 at home on

Jan. 1. Creighton shut the Bulldogs down throughout the game, thanks in large part to McDermott, who had a career-high 28 points to go with 10 rebounds.

“I took advantage of their size at the four man – they’re a little smaller there than I’ve faced all year and not as physical,” McDermott said. “I got some good looks, and I want to thank my teammates for throwing it in there.”

After beating Drake, the Jays hosted Missouri State on Jan. 4. The Bears used a second-half spurt to defeat the team 67-55. McDermott again led Creighton with 17 points.

The team then hit the road to travel to Carbondale, Ill., to play perennial conference power Southern Illinois University on Jan. 7. Even though the Salukis are in a rare down year, they gave the Jays all they could handle before falling 72-66 in overtime. Echenique was the key player for the Jays in the game, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Creighton finished its road trip against the University of Evansville and managed to escape with a 74-69 win. Echenique again led the Jays with 16 points, but coach McDermott noted that the win was a complete team effort.

“I’m proud of our guys, because it’s a tough swing to come on the road and play two games in three days,” he said.

The Jays’ final game before coverage resumed was a 68-54 loss at the hands of preseason Valley favorite Wichita State University on Jan. 12. Creighton played in front of a packed house, as 15,481 white-shirted fans filled the stadium. The game was played tight throughout, until the Shockers used a 17-3 run in the second half to ice the game. Echenique led the team with 12 points. Korver, like many Jays, was puzzled by the loss.

“I don’t know what to say,” he said.

The Jays play next on Saturday, taking on Indiana State.