Feb. 27, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Anthony Slack has nine points, and single-handedley pulled down as many rebounds as Creighton's entire team with 10 caroms, but the visiting Bluejays shot 50 percent from the field, and tallied a 31-31 tie with the Redbirds at the first half intermission.
The Redbirds started the game with a flurry of threes, with Levi Dyer providing two from beyond the arc. Osiris Eldridge added back-to-back treys to give ISU the early 12-7 lead. But after a media timeout (15:45), the Bluejays answered with a 9-3 run, and took a 16-15 lead after Stinnett's steal and ensuing dunk.
Creighton led by as many as five points (22-17) in the next two minutes, before the Redbirds mounted an 11-6 spree, and took a 28-26 lead after Dinma Odiakosa tipped in a miss with 4:01 remaining in the opening stanza. Slack was dominant in the stretch, scoring six points, corralling three rebounds, and adding one block and one steal.
The Bluejays ended the half on a 5-3 spurt, and tied the game at 31-31 after Booker Woodfox hit a three-pointer from the corner with less than five second remaining.
The Redbirds dominated the boards, holding a commanding 24-10 rebounding advantage. Slack ended the half with 10 caroms, including four on the offensive end. Creighton's 50 percent shooting mark (13-of-26) kept the margin close.
