Kalkbrenner finds his offense in decisive run as No. 8 Creighton rolls past North Dakota State 89-60
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Ryan Kalkbrenner was mostly invisible on the offensive end in Creighton's opener and again in the first half against North Dakota State.
But the eighth-ranked Bluejays made it a point to feed him the ball coming out of halftime Saturday, and the All-Big East center responded with a flurry that helped put away the Bison in an 89-60 win.
“Everybody’s job is easier if we can establish him,” coach Greg McDermott said. “If you're playing against Ryan Kalkbrenner, you’re scared to death of him because he’s so efficient once he catches it.”
Creighton's strategy in the first half was to emphasize mid-range and 3-point shooting to stretch out the Bison's defense. NDSU didn't budge, and Kalkbrenner got only one shot attempt and very few other touches.
On the first possession of the second half, Kalkbrenner took an entry pass from Baylor Scheierman and converted it into an easy basket. The 7-foot-1 senior scored 11 of his 13 points during a decisive 16-0 spurt over the first four minutes of the second half that put Creighton up 57-31.
Kalkbrenner added a dunk before going to the bench for the rest of the game with 13 minutes left.
Kalkbrenner put some of the blame on himself for his slow start.
“A couple plays in the first half I let them push me off my spot," he said. “In the second half, I tried to stay on my spot and stay where I could get the ball easier. Being more assertive before I get the ball was the big thing.”
Trey Alexander had 21 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and five steals. Scheierman added 17 points for the Bluejays (2-0), who shot 60% from the field, made 12 of 28 3-pointers and committed just four fouls while running its record to 12-0 in the series with the Bison (2-1).
North Dakota State got 15 points from Damari Wheeler-Thomas.
Kalkbrenner had limited touches in the Bluejays' opener. He finished with nine points against Florida A&M, which clogged the middle and double-teamed him regularly. NDSU's Andrew Morgan and Joshua Streit took turns guarding him and denied him the ball in the first half.
After Kalkbrenner scored to start the second half, he blocked Lance Waddles' shot on the other end and then rattled in a 3-pointer from the top of the key. He followed with a couple more inside buckets.
“He’s very conditioned, so throughout the course of the game he wears big men down,” Alexander said.
Scheierman, in his second year at Creighton after transferring from South Dakota State, scored nine straight points early in the game and glanced over at the bench of his former Summit League rivals a couple times after he made shots. He finished with three 3-pointers, blowing a kiss and pumping his fist when his last one forced NDSU to call a timeout.
“We have a guy like Baylor that can get hot that quick. It opens it up for everybody,” Alexander said, adding that he thought Scheierman was insulted to not draw NDSU's best defender. “He asserted his will against a team he played multiple times. He had a chip on his shoulder, and that got us out to an early lead. We rode his wave tonight.”
BIG PICTURE
North Dakota State: The Bison came to Omaha off an overtime win over Western Michigan and a rout of Mount Marty. They hung close with the Bluejays for most of the first half, but they couldn't keep up after that.
Creighton: The Bluejays have won 80 of 82 November home games since 1990, and Greg McDermott improved to 16-0 against the Summit League as Creighton's coach.
UP NEXT
North Dakota State: Hosts UC Davis on Tuesday.
Creighton: Hosts Iowa in the Gavitt Tipoff Games on Tuesday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
20:00 | Noah Feddersen vs. Trey Alexander (Trey Alexander gains possession) | |||
20:00 | +2 | Trey Alexander makes two point layup | 0-2 | |
19:16 | Ryan Kalkbrenner blocks Andrew Morgan's two point jump shot | |||
19:14 | Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound | |||
19:01 | Baylor Scheierman turnover (bad pass) (Lance Waddles steals) | |||
18:47 | +2 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes two point jump shot | 2-2 | |
18:31 | +2 | Trey Alexander makes two point jump shot | 2-4 | |
18:02 | +2 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes two point layup | 4-4 | |
17:49 | Steven Ashworth turnover (bad pass) (Andrew Morgan steals) | |||
17:42 | +3 | Lance Waddles makes three point jump shot (Andrew Morgan assists) | 7-4 | |
17:26 | Ryan Kalkbrenner turnover (lost ball) (Lance Waddles steals) | |||
17:17 | Lance Waddles misses three point jump shot | |||
17:15 | Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound | |||
17:10 | Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot | |||
17:08 | Steven Ashworth offensive rebound | |||
16:57 | Baylor Scheierman misses three point jump shot | |||
16:55 | Boden Skunberg defensive rebound | |||
16:50 | Mason Miller personal foul (Boden Skunberg draws the foul) | |||
16:48 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas misses two point layup | |||
16:44 | Mason Miller defensive rebound | |||
16:13 | Ryan Kalkbrenner misses two point layup | |||
16:11 | Jeremiah Burke defensive rebound | |||
15:57 | +2 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes two point jump shot | 9-4 | |
15:33 | +2 | Baylor Scheierman makes two point jump shot | 9-6 | |
14:58 | +2 | Jeremiah Burke makes two point layup | 11-6 | |
14:45 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas shooting foul (Baylor Scheierman draws the foul) | |||
14:45 | TV timeout | |||
14:45 | +1 | Baylor Scheierman makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 11-7 | |
14:45 | +1 | Baylor Scheierman makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 11-8 | |
14:14 | Jacari White turnover (bad pass) (Trey Alexander steals) | |||
14:11 | Tajavis Miller personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul) | |||
14:08 | +2 | Baylor Scheierman makes two point jump shot (Trey Alexander assists) | 11-10 | |
13:36 | Trey Alexander blocks Tajavis Miller's two point jump shot | |||
13:34 | Trey Alexander defensive rebound | |||
13:28 | Trey Alexander misses three point jump shot | |||
13:26 | Isaac Traudt offensive rebound | |||
13:21 | +3 | Baylor Scheierman makes three point jump shot (Ryan Kalkbrenner assists) | 11-13 | |
12:52 | Boden Skunberg turnover (traveling) | |||
12:40 | Trey Alexander misses two point jump shot | |||
12:38 | Jeremiah Burke defensive rebound | |||
12:27 | +2 | Jacari White makes two point jump shot | 13-13 | |
12:10 | Jacari White shooting foul (Isaac Traudt draws the foul) | |||
12:10 | Isaac Traudt misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
12:10 | +1 | Isaac Traudt makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 13-14 | |
11:52 | Andrew Morgan misses two point hook shot | |||
11:50 | Fredrick King defensive rebound | |||
11:42 | +2 | Trey Alexander makes two point jump shot | 13-16 | |
11:18 | Andrew Morgan misses two point hook shot | |||
11:16 | Fredrick King defensive rebound | |||
11:06 | Baylor Scheierman turnover (traveling) | |||
11:09 | TV timeout | |||
10:45 | +2 | Andrew Morgan makes two point layup | 15-16 | |
10:29 | Lance Waddles shooting foul (Trey Alexander draws the foul) | |||
10:29 | +1 | Trey Alexander makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 15-17 | |
10:29 | +1 | Trey Alexander makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 15-18 | |
10:15 | Boden Skunberg turnover (bad pass) (Trey Alexander steals) | |||
10:07 | Francisco Farabello misses three point jump shot | |||
10:05 | Noah Feddersen defensive rebound | |||
9:51 | Boden Skunberg turnover (bad pass) (Trey Alexander steals) | |||
9:40 | Trey Alexander turnover (bad pass) (Andrew Morgan steals) | |||
9:30 | Tajavis Miller misses three point jump shot | |||
9:28 | Francisco Farabello defensive rebound | |||
9:20 | Steven Ashworth misses three point jump shot | |||
9:18 | Boden Skunberg defensive rebound | |||
9:12 | +3 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes three point jump shot (Boden Skunberg assists) | 18-18 | |
9:01 | Trey Alexander misses two point jump shot | |||
8:59 | Tajavis Miller defensive rebound | |||
8:42 | Tajavis Miller turnover (bad pass) (Trey Alexander steals) | |||
8:25 | Trey Alexander misses three point jump shot | |||
8:23 | Tajavis Miller defensive rebound | |||
8:03 | Andrew Morgan misses two point jump shot | |||
8:01 | Trey Alexander defensive rebound | |||
7:56 | +3 | Mason Miller makes three point jump shot (Steven Ashworth assists) | 18-21 | |
7:26 | +2 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes two point jump shot | 20-21 | |
7:06 | Mason Miller misses three point jump shot | |||
7:04 | Ryan Kalkbrenner offensive rebound | |||
6:59 | +3 | Steven Ashworth makes three point jump shot (Ryan Kalkbrenner assists) | 20-24 | |
6:33 | Andrew Morgan misses three point jump shot | |||
6:31 | Trey Alexander defensive rebound | |||
6:18 | Steven Ashworth turnover (bad pass) | |||
6:18 | TV timeout | |||
5:52 | +3 | Joshua Streit makes three point jump shot (Tajavis Miller assists) | 23-24 | |
5:37 | +2 | Baylor Scheierman makes two point jump shot | 23-26 | |
5:12 | Joshua Streit turnover (bad pass) (Francisco Farabello steals) | |||
5:07 | +2 | Francisco Farabello makes two point layup | 23-28 | |
4:46 | Jacari White misses two point jump shot | |||
4:44 | Joshua Streit offensive rebound | |||
4:43 | Jump ball. Joshua Streit vs. Mason Miller (Joshua Streit gains possession) | |||
4:36 | +2 | Boden Skunberg makes two point jump shot | 25-28 | |
4:16 | +3 | Mason Miller makes three point jump shot (Baylor Scheierman assists) | 25-31 | |
3:44 | Andrew Morgan misses three point jump shot | |||
3:42 | Ryan Kalkbrenner defensive rebound | |||
3:34 | +3 | Baylor Scheierman makes three point jump shot | 25-34 | |
3:04 | +2 | Tajavis Miller makes two point jump shot | 27-34 | |
3:03 | Bison 30 second timeout | |||
3:03 | TV timeout | |||
2:52 | +3 | Isaac Traudt makes three point jump shot (Trey Alexander assists) | 27-37 | |
2:25 | Boden Skunberg turnover (bad pass) (Baylor Scheierman steals) | |||
2:22 | Baylor Scheierman turnover (lost ball) (Boden Skunberg steals) | |||
2:14 | Boden Skunberg misses two point layup | |||
2:12 | Boden Skunberg offensive rebound | |||
2:02 | Baylor Scheierman blocks Boden Skunberg's two point jump shot | |||
2:02 | Boden Skunberg offensive rebound | |||
2:02 | Noah Feddersen misses two point jump shot | |||
2:00 | Andrew Morgan offensive rebound | |||
1:49 | +2 | Andrew Morgan makes two point jump shot | 29-37 | |
1:28 | +2 | Trey Alexander makes two point dunk | 29-39 | |
1:03 | Andrew Morgan misses two point jump shot | |||
1:01 | Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound | |||
0:46 | Steven Ashworth turnover (bad pass) (Tajavis Miller steals) | |||
0:40 | Boden Skunberg turnover (lost ball) | |||
0:34 | +2 | Steven Ashworth makes two point jump shot (Baylor Scheierman assists) | 29-41 | |
0:03 | +2 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas makes two point jump shot | 31-41 | |
0:02 | Bluejays 30 second timeout | |||
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
19:50 | +2 | Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point hook shot (Baylor Scheierman assists) | 31-43 | |
19:17 | Ryan Kalkbrenner blocks Lance Waddles's two point layup | |||
19:15 | Mason Miller defensive rebound | |||
19:08 | +3 | Ryan Kalkbrenner makes three point jump shot (Baylor Scheierman assists) | 31-46 | |
18:42 | Andrew Morgan misses two point jump shot | |||
18:40 | Trey Alexander defensive rebound | |||
18:29 | +2 | Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point layup (Trey Alexander assists) | 31-48 | |
18:08 | Noah Feddersen turnover (bad pass) (Trey Alexander steals) | |||
18:03 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas shooting foul (Trey Alexander draws the foul) | |||
18:03 | +1 | Trey Alexander makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 31-49 | |
18:03 | +1 | Trey Alexander makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 31-50 | |
17:38 | Andrew Morgan misses two point jump shot | |||
17:36 | Boden Skunberg offensive rebound | |||
17:25 | Boden Skunberg misses two point jump shot | |||
17:23 | Trey Alexander defensive rebound | |||
17:15 | +2 | Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point hook shot (Baylor Scheierman assists) | 31-52 | |
16:47 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas misses two point jump shot | |||
16:45 | Baylor Scheierman defensive rebound | |||
16:40 | Mason Miller misses three point jump shot | |||
16:38 | Steven Ashworth offensive rebound | |||
16:35 | +3 | Baylor Scheierman makes three point jump shot (Steven Ashworth assists) | 31-55 | |
16:35 | Bison 30 second timeout | |||
16:35 | TV timeout | |||
16:11 | Damari Wheeler-Thomas misses two point jump shot | |||
16:09 | Trey Alexander defensive rebound | |||
16:04 | Tajavis Miller personal foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul) | |||
15:59 | +2 | Ryan Kalkbrenner makes two point dunk (Trey Alexander assists) | 31-57 | |
15:59 | Boden Skunberg shooting foul (Ryan Kalkbrenner draws the foul) | |||
15:58 | TV timeout | |||
15:59 | Ryan Kalkbrenner misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | |||
15:59 | Jeremiah Burke defensive rebound | |||
15:38 | +3 | Tajavis Miller makes three point jump shot (Boden Skunberg assists) | 34-57 | |
15:23 |