You may not know this name in some parts of the landscape, but college basketball big man Ryan Kalkbrenner had a standout performance for Creighton during their season opener against UT-Rio Grande Valley, scoring 49 points in a 99-86 victory. This achievement marks a career-high for the 7-foot-1 center and places him among the elite scorers in Big East history, as his 49 points are the fifth-most ever recorded in a single game within the conference.
Every game may not be this way but Kalkbrenner’s shooting was particularly impressive; he made 20 of 22 field goal attempts, including 2 for 2 from three-point range and 7 of 8 free throws. He also contributed significantly on the boards with 11 rebounds and blocked three shots. His shooting percentage of 91% is notable, being the highest for any Division I player scoring over 45 points in the last 25 years.
Reflecting on his performance, Kalkbrenner stated that he was more focused on the game’s competitiveness than on his personal scoring tally. He mentioned, “I wasn’t really aware of my point total… It just happened naturally”. His coach, Greg McDermott, praised him, saying, “To go to work like he did in the offseason… it’s pretty special,” highlighting Kalkbrenner’s dedication and hard work.
Despite Kalkbrenner’s extraordinary effort, Creighton faced challenges throughout the game, with UT-Rio Grande Valley remaining competitive until the final moments.
Kalkbrenner’s Record-Breaking Performance
Kalkbrenner dominated the game with a career-high 49 points, setting several records in the process:
- His 49 points were the second-highest in Creighton’s program history, just shy of Bob Portman’s 51-point record from 1967.
- He set a new school record with 20 made field goals on 22 attempts (90.9% shooting).
- Kalkbrenner became the first NCAA player to make 20 field goals on 90% shooting since Bill Walton in the 1973 National Championship.
- He recorded his 17th career double-double by adding 11 rebounds to his impressive point total.
Team Performance
The Bluejays showcased their offensive prowess:
- Senior Steven Ashworth contributed 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.
- Sophomore Isaac Traudt added 11 points to the team’s total.
- Creighton shot 89.7% from the free-throw line, making 26 of 29 attempts.
- The team out-rebounded UTRGV 38-33 and dominated in the paint, outscoring their opponents 50-32.
Game Flow
The game started competitively, with UTRGV taking an early 12-8 lead. However, Creighton quickly regained control:
- A 10-4 run, featuring three-pointers from Traudt, put Creighton ahead 20-16.
- Kalkbrenner’s 10 consecutive points gave the Bluejays a 33-27 advantage.
- Creighton led 46-38 at halftime.
In the second half, Kalkbrenner continued his dominance, scoring 29 points on perfect 11-of-11 shooting. Despite a late push by UTRGV that narrowed the gap to six points, Creighton maintained control and secured the victory.
Ahead
The Bluejays are set to face Fairleigh Dickinson University in their next game on November 10, 2024, at 4:00 PM at the CHI Health Center Omaha. The Bluejays’ have a challenging schedule ahead, including matchups against top-ranked teams like Kansas and Alabama.