Kalkbrenner leads Creighton past NC State in March Madness
AP
Mar 17, 2023
DENVER (AP) The Creighton Bluejays couldn't hit anything from outside. No worries - OK, maybe a little - they simply went inside to their big man.
Ryan Kalkbrenner scored a career-high 31 points and sixth-seeded Creighton overcame a rough 3-point shooting day to fend off No. 11 seed North Carolina State 72-63 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner did a little bit of everything for the Bluejays, which included hitting a big 3-pointer on a day the team finished 3 of 20 from long range.
The slender Kalkbrenner had six dunks and seven rebounds, and N.C. State big men D.J. Burns Jr. and Ebenezer Dowuona were hampered by foul trouble.
“Nothing surprises me from Kalk,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. "He’s just improved in every facet of the game, and he was able to score on Burns. But then when they had to go small, we did a good job of executing some offense to get him the ball around the rim, and then he did the rest."
Next up for the Bluejays (22-12) is third-seeded Baylor in the second round in the South Region. The Bears beat Santa Barbara in the early game.
Leading 62-59, Baylor Scheierman drained a 3-pointer with 2:23 remaining to give Creighton some separation. A pair of free throws for Kalkbrenner, a block by Trey Alexander and another basket from Scheierman - complete with blowing the crowd a kiss - and the Bluejays were on their way to a hard-earned win.
About that kiss: “It was just an in-the-moment thing,” Scheierman explained. “It wasn’t necessarily to anybody.”
Kalkbrenner was having a big game in the NCAA Tournament last season - 16 points, 10 rebounds - when he suffered a knee injury in the overtime win over San Diego State. He didn't get to play the next round against eventual national champion Kansas.
“Happy to be able to play in it this time," Kalkbrenner said.
Terquavion Smith led the Wolfpack (23-11) with 32 points on 27 shots. The team started slow, going 0 for 8 from the field to open the game, and never found its rhythm from deep. The team finished 3 for 14 from 3-point range.
“We knew their game plan. We knew knew what they were going to do,” said Wolfpack guard Jarkel Joiner, whose team led by seven with 16:48 remaining. “We could’ve been more disruptive because they’re a great passing team. But give credit to them - they found their big man.”
It was quite a turnaround for an N.C. State team that went 11-21 last season.
“We are going to walk out of here with our head up," N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts said. “Continue to build and keep pushing this program in the right direction.”
INJURY REPORT
Creighton forward Mason Miller, the son of longtime NBA player Mike Miller, left in the first half after hurting his right ankle. “The grade of the sprain, I don’t think we’ll know until he gets up tomorrow," McDermott said.
GOING GREEN
McDermott wore green shoes on the sideline in honor of St. Patrick's Day. It had been in the works for months - just in case their game fell on the celebratory day.
“Obviously, McDermott is a pretty Irish name,” McDermott cracked. “We went with the green today.”
JAM SESSION
Burns released a single titled “Beast Boy” before the game. The track reflects on his drive on the court along with giving a shoutout to his teammates. Burns had two points and four rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Bluejays faced Baylor in their second game of the 2014 NCAA Tournament. The Bears won 85-55. ---
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1st Half
NCST
Wolfpack
26
CREI
Bluejays
28
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
D.J. Burns Jr. vs. Ryan Kalkbrenner (Bluejays gains possession)
19:48
+3
Baylor Scheierman makes three point jump shot (Ryan Kalkbrenner assists)
0-3
19:24
Terquavion Smith misses two point jump shot
19:22
Ryan Nembhard defensive rebound
19:15
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point layup (Arthur Kaluma assists)
0-5
18:59
D.J. Burns Jr. misses two point hook shot
18:57
Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound
18:50
Baylor Scheierman turnover (bad pass) (D.J. Burns Jr. steals)
18:38
Jarkel Joiner misses two point jump shot
18:36
Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound
18:32
Arthur Kaluma misses three point jump shot
18:30
Jarkel Joiner defensive rebound
18:26
Jack Clark misses two point layup
18:24
Ryan Nembhard defensive rebound
18:19
Terquavion Smith personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
18:15
Terquavion Smith personal foul (Trey Alexander draws the foul)
18:03
Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot
18:01
Jack Clark defensive rebound
17:45
Ryan Kalkbrenner blocks D.J. Burns Jr.'s two point jump shot
17:43
D.J. Burns Jr. offensive rebound
17:43
Jump ball. D.J. Burns Jr. vs. Ryan Kalkbrenner (D.J. Burns Jr. gains possession)
17:36
Jarkel Joiner misses two point jump shot
17:34
Arthur Kaluma defensive rebound
17:10
Trey Alexander misses three point jump shot
17:08
Casey Morsell defensive rebound
16:52
Jack Clark misses two point jump shot
16:50
Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound
16:43
Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot
16:41
Casey Morsell defensive rebound
16:30
Jack Clark misses three point jump shot
16:28
Arthur Kaluma defensive rebound
16:18
+2
Baylor Scheierman makes two point layup (Arthur Kaluma assists)
0-7
15:57
+2
Jarkel Joiner makes two point layup
2-7
15:35
Baylor Scheierman turnover (traveling)
15:35
TV timeout
15:23
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point jump shot
4-7
14:57
Ryan Nembhard misses two point jump shot
14:52
Bluejays offensive rebound
14:49
+2
Trey Alexander makes two point jump shot
4-9
14:26
Terquavion Smith misses three point jump shot
14:24
Fredrick King defensive rebound
14:07
Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot
14:05
Casey Morsell defensive rebound
13:58
Terquavion Smith turnover (bad pass) (Trey Alexander steals)
13:43
Trey Alexander misses three point jump shot
13:41
Jack Clark defensive rebound
13:34
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point layup
6-9
13:34
Fredrick King shooting foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
13:34
Terquavion Smith misses regular free throw 1 of 1
13:34
Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound
13:09
Ryan Nembhard misses three point jump shot
13:07
Terquavion Smith defensive rebound
13:02
Terquavion Smith misses two point layup
13:00
Mason Miller defensive rebound
12:47
Ryan Kalkbrenner misses two point layup
12:45
Ebenezer Dowuona defensive rebound
12:23
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point layup
8-9
11:59
Mason Miller misses three point jump shot
11:57
Jarkel Joiner defensive rebound
11:44
Terquavion Smith misses three point jump shot
11:42
Mason Miller defensive rebound
11:24
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point dunk (Ryan Nembhard assists)
8-11
10:56
Jarkel Joiner misses three point jump shot
10:54
Francisco Farabello defensive rebound
10:49
Ebenezer Dowuona personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
10:49
TV timeout
10:25
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point hook shot (Baylor Scheierman assists)
8-13
10:07
+2
LJ Thomas makes two point jump shot
10-13
9:48
D.J. Burns Jr. shooting foul (Arthur Kaluma draws the foul)
9:48
+1
Arthur Kaluma makes regular free throw 1 of 2
10-14
9:48
+1
Arthur Kaluma makes regular free throw 2 of 2
10-15
9:31
+2
Casey Morsell makes two point jump shot
12-15
9:13
Ryan Nembhard misses three point jump shot
9:11
Jarkel Joiner defensive rebound
8:56
D.J. Burns Jr. misses two point jump shot
8:54
Arthur Kaluma defensive rebound
8:44
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point layup (Arthur Kaluma assists)
12-17
8:44
D.J. Burns Jr. shooting foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
8:44
+1
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes regular free throw 1 of 1
12-18
8:22
Ebenezer Dowuona misses two point jump shot
8:20
Ryan Nembhard defensive rebound
7:55
Trey Alexander turnover (lost ball) (Casey Morsell steals)
7:51
+2
Casey Morsell makes two point layup
14-18
7:33
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point dunk (Baylor Scheierman assists)
14-20
7:09
Baylor Scheierman personal foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
7:09
TV timeout
7:04
Ryan Kalkbrenner blocks Terquavion Smith's two point jump shot
7:02
Bluejays defensive rebound
6:41
Baylor Scheierman offensive foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
6:41
Baylor Scheierman turnover (offensive foul)
6:15
Ryan Kalkbrenner shooting foul (Ebenezer Dowuona draws the foul)
6:15
+1
Ebenezer Dowuona makes regular free throw 1 of 2
15-20
6:15
+1
Ebenezer Dowuona makes regular free throw 2 of 2
16-20
5:48
+2
Ryan Nembhard makes two point jump shot
16-22
5:26
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point jump shot
18-22
5:11
+2
Francisco Farabello makes two point layup
18-24
4:59
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point jump shot
20-24
4:48
Ebenezer Dowuona personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
4:46
Arthur Kaluma turnover (bad pass) (Jack Clark steals)
4:38
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point jump shot
22-24
4:16
Arthur Kaluma turnover (bad pass)
4:02
Terquavion Smith misses two point jump shot
4:00
Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound
3:55
Trey Alexander misses three point jump shot
3:53
Jack Clark defensive rebound
3:45
Jarkel Joiner misses two point jump shot
3:43
Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound
3:36
Ryan Kalkbrenner misses two point layup
3:34
Jack Clark defensive rebound
3:30
Ryan Nembhard shooting foul (Jarkel Joiner draws the foul)
3:30
TV timeout
3:30
+1
Jarkel Joiner makes regular free throw 1 of 2
23-24
3:30
+1
Jarkel Joiner makes regular free throw 2 of 2
24-24
3:17
Mason Miller misses two point jump shot
3:15
Jack Clark defensive rebound
3:06
Jarkel Joiner misses two point jump shot
3:04
Trey Alexander defensive rebound
2:42
+2
Trey Alexander makes two point jump shot
24-26
2:20
Terquavion Smith misses three point jump shot
2:18
Ernest Ross offensive rebound
2:10
Jack Clark misses two point layup
2:08
Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound
2:06
Official timeout
1:46
Jarkel Joiner personal foul (Arthur Kaluma draws the foul)
1:46
+1
Arthur Kaluma makes regular free throw 1 of 2
24-27
1:46
+1
Arthur Kaluma makes regular free throw 2 of 2
24-28
1:32
Ryan Nembhard personal foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
1:27
Terquavion Smith misses two point layup
1:25
Terquavion Smith offensive rebound
1:25
Terquavion Smith turnover (out of bounds)
0:57
Trey Alexander misses three point jump shot
0:55
Casey Morsell defensive rebound
0:47
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point jump shot
26-28
0:39
Bluejays 30 second timeout
0:21
Arthur Kaluma misses three point jump shot
0:19
Breon Pass defensive rebound
0:01
Jarkel Joiner misses two point jump shot
0:00
Bluejays defensive rebound
0:00
End of period
2nd Half
NCST
Wolfpack
37
CREI
Bluejays
44
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:46
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point dunk (Trey Alexander assists)
26-30
19:23
D.J. Burns Jr. turnover (lost ball) (Ryan Nembhard steals)
19:13
Trey Alexander misses two point jump shot
19:11
Jarkel Joiner defensive rebound
19:00
+2
Jarkel Joiner makes two point jump shot
28-30
18:47
Trey Alexander misses two point layup
18:45
D.J. Burns Jr. defensive rebound
18:38
Terquavion Smith misses three point jump shot
18:36
Casey Morsell offensive rebound
18:32
+2
Casey Morsell makes two point jump shot
30-30
18:15
Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot
18:13
Jarkel Joiner defensive rebound
17:59
+3
Casey Morsell makes three point jump shot (Jarkel Joiner assists)
33-30
17:28
Ryan Kalkbrenner misses two point hook shot
17:26
Arthur Kaluma offensive rebound
17:24
Arthur Kaluma misses two point layup
17:22
D.J. Burns Jr. defensive rebound
17:21
Baylor Scheierman blocks Jarkel Joiner's two point layup
17:19
Wolfpack offensive rebound
17:12
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point layup
35-30
17:05
Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot
17:03
Jack Clark defensive rebound
16:48
+2
D.J. Burns Jr. makes two point layup (Terquavion Smith assists)
37-30
16:41
+2
Ryan Nembhard makes two point jump shot
37-32
16:20
Jarkel Joiner misses three point jump shot
16:18
Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound
16:12
Arthur Kaluma misses three point jump shot
16:10
Bluejays offensive rebound
16:09
D.J. Burns Jr. personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
16:07
Ebenezer Dowuona shooting foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
16:07
+1
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes regular free throw 1 of 2
37-33
16:07
+1
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes regular free throw 2 of 2
37-34
15:47
Terquavion Smith misses two point jump shot
15:45
Ebenezer Dowuona offensive rebound
15:42
Casey Morsell misses two point layup
15:40
Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound
15:40
Ebenezer Dowuona personal foul (Baylor Scheierman draws the foul)
15:40
TV timeout
15:12
Ryan Nembhard misses three point jump shot
15:10
Casey Morsell defensive rebound
14:58
Jack Clark misses three point jump shot
14:56
Arthur Kaluma defensive rebound
14:41
+3
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes three point jump shot (Trey Alexander assists)
37-37
14:20
Trey Alexander personal foul (Jarkel Joiner draws the foul)
14:15
Terquavion Smith misses two point layup
14:13
Bluejays defensive rebound
14:13
D.J. Burns Jr. personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
13:54
Casey Morsell shooting foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
13:54
+1
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes regular free throw 1 of 2
37-38
13:54
+1
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes regular free throw 2 of 2
37-39
13:36
Trey Alexander shooting foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
13:36
+1
Terquavion Smith makes regular free throw 1 of 2
38-39
13:36
Terquavion Smith misses regular free throw 2 of 2
13:36
Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound
13:21
Trey Alexander misses two point layup
13:19
Jack Clark defensive rebound
13:04
+2
Jarkel Joiner makes two point jump shot
40-39
12:51
+2
Arthur Kaluma makes two point hook shot
40-41
12:28
Baylor Scheierman shooting foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
12:28
+1
Terquavion Smith makes regular free throw 1 of 2
41-41
12:28
+1
Terquavion Smith makes regular free throw 2 of 2
42-41
12:13
Casey Morsell personal foul (Arthur Kaluma draws the foul)
12:02
+2
Trey Alexander makes two point layup
42-43
11:49
Ernest Ross turnover (lost ball) (Trey Alexander steals)
11:41
+2
Arthur Kaluma makes two point layup
42-45
11:18
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point jump shot
44-45
10:59
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point alley-oop dunk (Ryan Nembhard assists)
44-47
10:39
Terquavion Smith misses two point layup
10:38
Arthur Kaluma defensive rebound
10:38
Ernest Ross personal foul (Arthur Kaluma draws the foul)
10:38
TV timeout
10:38
+1
Arthur Kaluma makes regular free throw 1 of 2
44-48
10:38
+1
Arthur Kaluma makes regular free throw 2 of 2
44-49
10:24
Terquavion Smith turnover (lost ball)
10:19
Ryan Nembhard misses two point layup
10:17
Wolfpack defensive rebound
10:17
Trey Alexander turnover (offensive goaltending)
10:02
+2
Jarkel Joiner makes two point jump shot
46-49
9:51
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point dunk (Arthur Kaluma assists)
46-51
9:19
Francisco Farabello personal foul (Casey Morsell draws the foul)
9:13
Terquavion Smith misses two point layup
9:11
Trey Alexander defensive rebound
9:06
+2
Trey Alexander makes two point jump shot
46-53
8:50
Jarkel Joiner misses two point jump shot
8:48
Casey Morsell offensive rebound
8:46
Francisco Farabello personal foul (Casey Morsell draws the foul)
8:35
Ryan Nembhard shooting foul (Jarkel Joiner draws the foul)
8:35
Jarkel Joiner misses regular free throw 1 of 2
8:35
+1
Jarkel Joiner makes regular free throw 2 of 2
47-53
8:12
Casey Morsell personal foul (Trey Alexander draws the foul)
8:12
+1
Trey Alexander makes regular free throw 1 of 2
47-54
8:12
Trey Alexander misses regular free throw 2 of 2
8:12
Jack Clark defensive rebound
7:54
Ryan Kalkbrenner blocks Jarkel Joiner's two point layup
7:52
Francisco Farabello defensive rebound
7:42
Ryan Kalkbrenner turnover (lost ball) (Terquavion Smith steals)
7:35
Jarkel Joiner misses three point jump shot
7:33
Arthur Kaluma defensive rebound
7:12
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point alley-oop dunk (Baylor Scheierman assists)
47-56
7:01
Arthur Kaluma blocks Casey Morsell's two point layup
6:59
Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound
6:50
Trey Alexander misses two point layup
6:48
Casey Morsell defensive rebound
6:40
Wolfpack 30 second timeout
6:40
TV timeout
6:34
+3
Terquavion Smith makes three point jump shot (Jarkel Joiner assists)
50-56
6:02
Baylor Scheierman misses two point jump shot
6:00
Jack Clark defensive rebound
5:52
Terquavion Smith misses two point jump shot
5:50
D.J. Burns Jr. offensive rebound
5:46
D.J. Burns Jr. misses two point jump shot
5:44
Jack Clark offensive rebound
5:43
+3
Jack Clark makes three point jump shot
53-56
5:37
Bluejays 30 second timeout
5:37
TV timeout
5:17
+2
Ryan Nembhard makes two point layup
53-58
4:47
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point dunk
55-58
4:20
Terquavion Smith blocks Baylor Scheierman's two point layup
4:18
Jarkel Joiner defensive rebound
4:09
Jarkel Joiner misses three point jump shot
4:07
Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound
3:54
Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot
3:52
Arthur Kaluma offensive rebound
3:44
+2
Ryan Nembhard makes two point layup
55-60
3:30
+2
Terquavion Smith makes two point layup
57-60
3:03
+2
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point layup (Baylor Scheierman assists)
57-62
2:51
Ryan Kalkbrenner shooting foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
2:51
TV timeout
2:51
+1
Terquavion Smith makes regular free throw 1 of 2
58-62
2:51
+1
Terquavion Smith makes regular free throw 2 of 2
59-62
2:23
+3
Baylor Scheierman makes three point jump shot (Ryan Kalkbrenner assists)
59-65
2:08
Ryan Kalkbrenner personal foul (Terquavion Smith draws the foul)
2:08
+1
Terquavion Smith makes regular free throw 1 of 2
60-65
2:08
+1
Terquavion Smith makes regular free throw 2 of 2
61-65
1:48
Casey Morsell shooting foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
1:48
+1
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes regular free throw 1 of 2
61-66
1:48
+1
Ryan Kalkbrenner makes regular free throw 2 of 2
61-67
1:47
Official timeout
1:36
Trey Alexander blocks Terquavion Smith's two point jump shot
1:34
Arthur Kaluma defensive rebound
1:10
+2
Baylor Scheierman makes two point jump shot (Ryan Nembhard assists)
61-69
1:02
Casey Morsell turnover (out of bounds)
1:02
Wolfpack 30 second timeout
0:53
Terquavion Smith personal foul (Ryan Nembhard draws the foul)
0:53
+1
Ryan Nembhard makes regular free throw 1 of 2
61-70
0:53
+1
Ryan Nembhard makes regular free throw 2 of 2
61-71
0:44
+2
Jarkel Joiner makes two point layup
63-71
0:43
Wolfpack 60 second timeout
0:35
Jarkel Joiner personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul)
