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Jays Win Battle For Omahas Team

There is one thing every head coach dreads during an exhibition game no matter the sport.
Injury.
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Senior Justin Carter was carried off the floor by Creighton's medical staff halfway through the second half of Creighton's 93-77 victory over the University Nebraska-Omaha Sunday afternoon at Qwest Center Omaha. Carter's left leg appeared to slide out from underneath him, causing him to yell in pain while making a move on the offensive end.
The injury overshadowed an otherwise bland performance for the Jays, which allowed UNO to jump out to a ten-point lead at the 7:32 mark of the first half. UNO rode a 6 for 8 effort behind the 3 point line in the first half to silence the crowd of 14,706. UNO's Jeff Martin was the Mavs main weapon, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 22 points on the game.
With rebounding being such a major area of concern this year, Creighton's players were at least happy to win the rebounding battle 39-27 after losing it badly to Missouri Western on Wednesday night.
"We didn't get out-rebounded, so that's a plus," said junior Kenny Lawson. "But we have a lot of work to do on the defensive end as far as talking and getting back. It's not really something that just happens one night and not another. That's something we need to be more consistent on."
Down 33-23 in the first half, Creighton would go on a 13-0 run and eventually stretch their lead to 48-39 to get the game under their control. The Jays never looked back.
"I know they made the run, which really was the thing that did us in," said UNO head coach Derrin Hansen. "But we never gave in. We got it down to 10 in the second half a few times. But I was proud of our guys, and we can defiantly build on this."
Head coach Dana Altman did not share the same level of enthusiasm for his team's performance.
"We really have to do a better job of talking, both offensively and defensively," Altman said. "We were really unorganized on both ends of the floor, and that's my fault. It doesn't look like we are ready to play."
Lawson led Creighton in scoring with 20 points, while P'Allen Stinnett and Wayne Runnels added 12 apiece.
The player of the game was point guard Antoine Young with nine points, nine assists three steals and no turnovers.
"I thought Antoine did some really good things," Altman said. "I thought defensively his motor was running, and nine assists and no turnovers is outstanding, obviously. I think he made a step, and we were really looking for that tonight."
Creighton opens the season on the road at No. 21 Dayton on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Notes: Correction - Justin Carter was not taken the hospital as was previously mentioned by a player. Carter was back on the bench after the injury. Altman said the extent of the injury is unknown, but Justin will probably miss the opener....Creighton went just 8-26 from the 3, but shot 55 percent for the game....Walk-on Matt Dorwart was a bright spot, coming off the bench to hit two 3 pointers in eight minutes of action...Casey Harriman has the flu and did not attend the game for Creighton. His status for Saturday is unknown...CU scored 48 points in the paint to UNO's 26...2010 recruit Will Artino saw his first CU game with his family Sunday afternoon.
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