Creighton forward Justin Carter's comfort factor appears to be growing.

Jittery in the Bluejays' exhibition game, the junior-college transfer scored eight points in 30 minutes in Sunday's win against New Mexico. He followed that up Thursday with a 13-point effort in the 82-50 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

He also had four rebounds, two assists, one turnover and one steal in 19 minutes against Pine Bluff.

"I felt more comfortable tonight, and I have more trust in the system," Carter said. "The floor was spread and they were trying to deny 'P', so I just wanted to work the lane."......More from the OWH

It's a good thing J.D. Collins, Bo Boroski and Steven Skiles brought whistles with them to Thursday's basketball game at Qwest Center Omaha.

By blowing them frequently, the three officials kept anyone in the announced crowd of 16,133 from dozing off during Creighton's 82-50 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

In contrast to the electricity produced in Sunday's dramatic comeback victory over New Mexico, the two teams generated little juice to keep the crowd into the game. Of course, the work of the referees contributed to the lack of atmosphere as they called 50 fouls and one technical to compound the stoppages of play that came with 48 turnovers by the two teams.

"It's hard, especially when you're just getting in, to get the blood flowing and get a feel for the game when there are so many timeouts," Creighton guard Cavel Witter said......More from the OWH

Creighton has given its fans their money's worth the last three times it has played at Qwest Center Omaha.

The Bluejays finished the regular season last March with a 111-110 double-overtime victory over Bradley. They encored that performance with a 74-73 National Invitation Tournament victory over Rhode Island in which they rallied from a 17-point deficit. Creighton then opened this season with Sunday's 82-75 win over New Mexico that saw it overcome a 16-point deficit.

In all likelihood, tonight's 7:05 meeting with Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the Qwest Center won't produce that kind of drama. Creighton has played the Golden Lions three times, winning each game by an average score of 81-51. Arkansas-Pine Bluff is 0-2 coming into tonight's game, having lost to Colorado and Texas A&M.

In spite of the mismatch scenario, the Bluejays say there's no chance that they'll overlook the Golden Lions.

"We need to take every game as one step at a time, to take every game as a learning experience," Creighton guard P'Allen Stinnett said. "They might not be a big-name team but we'll approach it the same way we play every game."......More from the OWH

Creighton's Chad Millard did not practice Tuesday, and coach Dana Altman said the junior forward's status is uncertain for Thursday's home game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Millard was knocked out momentarily and suffered a concussion when elbowed in the head during Sunday's 82-75 win over New Mexico. The Bluejays had Monday off, and Millard missed Tuesday's workout, as did forward Casey Harriman.

Altman said after the New Mexico win that Harriman has strep throat. The 6-foot-5 sophomore played 10 minutes against the Lobos but did not score......More from the OWH