UNI trips up McDermott's Bluejays

Northern Iowa soured another homecoming party for former coach Greg McDermott, taking down the Creighton Bluejays, 71-66, last night for its sixth straight victory in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Panthers were led by senior guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe, who sparked the home team with a game-high 26 points. Anthony James added 14 for Northern Iowa (16-6, 7-3).

Antoine Young led Creighton (13-9, 5-5) with 23 points. McDermott's son, Doug, a UNI signee who was granted a release from his scholarship last summer, chipped in with 16.

Ahelegbe led the Panthers with the hot hand, scoring 12 of the squad's first 14 points. The senior point guard notched back-to-back 3-pointers to give Northern Iowa a 14-11 lead with 13:53 remaining in the first half.

The Panthers captured their biggest lead of the first half, 31-23, after a steal from senior bruiser Lucas O'Rear set up Anthony James' first trey of the evening. The Panthers took a 31-26 lead into the locker room after a free throw and jumper from McDermott.

Creighton quickly evened the score in the second half with help from a 3-pointer from McDermott, the previous MVC Newcomer of the Week. The Bluejays took their only lead of the second half after McDermott connected on two free throws, 40-39.

Northern Iowa counterpunched with a quick 9-3 run to put the home team up 48-43 with 12:48 remaining. Creighton pulled to within three again at the 4:23 mark after a Kenny Lawson Jr. jumper, 61-58. The Panthers stretched the lead to 68-61 after a slew of free throws and survived a late 3-pointer from Young that put the game at 69-66. James iced the game with two late free throws to secure the win.

- By Mike Stout, Correspondent