They missed their first six shots while Creighton hit seven of its first eight.
The Bluejays cooled off from there, missing 14 of their next 16 attempts, but still led by three at the half.
The Red Storm struggled mightily from the field, shooting 33.3 percent. Luis and Simeon Wilcher each misfired on four of their five shots, and St. John’s didn’t attempt a single free throw over the opening 20 minutes.
Kalkbrenner controlled the paint as he usually does, and the Red Storm got impatient, taking quick jumpers.