
Shereef Mitchell had two steals to key a strong defensive effort for CU.
Photo by: Chelsea Nicholson
Kalkbrenner Guides Dominant Interior Night for Bluejays in 80-55 Win Over North Dakota State
11/30/2021 9:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bluejays own 44-16 edge in the paint
OMAHA, Neb. -- Powered by 44 points in the paint, including a game-high 17 from sophomore Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Creighton men's basketball team coasted to an 80-55 win over North Dakota State on Tuesday, November 30.
The win lifted Creighton to 7-1 on the season, while North Dakota State fell to 4-3 overall.
The Bluejays used their athleticism and defense to force eight Bison turnovers in the opening eight minutes. Creighton's offense proved equally impressive as nine different Bluejays scored as CU built a 20-12 edge midway through the opening half (10:27).
North Dakota State found its footing, trimming Creighton's advantage to just 27-25 (4:37). A pair of free throws from Kalkbrenner and two jumpers in the paint by freshman Ryan Nembhard delivered a quick response to push the lead back to eight at 33-25 (3:24). The Bluejays maintained that lead into the break, taking a 40-32 edge into the locker room at the half.
The Bluejays held an 18-0 edge on points off turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
Early in the second half the Bluejays continued to pound the ball inside, getting a pair of dunks by Kalkbrenner to ignite a 10-0 run to stretch the lead to 50-34 (15:27).
Up 55-42 moments later, Creighton put the game away with a 19-2 burst, pushing their lead out to 74-44 (5:30). Five Bluejays contributed in the surge, led by five points from Arthur Kaluma.
Kalkbrenner's 17 points led all scorers. Three other Bluejays reached double-figures with Kaluma finishing with 11 and Nembhard as well senior Alex O'Connell closing with 10 points each.
North Dakota State got a team-high 13 points from Dezmond McKinney in the loss, while Rocky Kreuser finished with 12 points.
The Bluejays outscored the Bison 44-16 in the paint and held a 26-2 edge on points off turnovers.
Creighton returns to the hardwood on Saturday, December 4 as the Bluejays host No. 19 Iowa State at 8:00 pm at CHI Health Center Omaha.
NOTES: Ryan Hawkins had three rebounds and now owns 1,000 in his collegiate career ... Hawkins' teams are now 166-5 since he enrolled in college six years ago ... Creighton is 7-1 for the fourth time under Greg McDermott and first time since 2016-17 ... Creighton owns 22 straight non-conference home wins and seven straight home wins overall ... Creighton is now 11-0 all-time against North Dakota State, with eight of those games having taken place in Omaha ... Greg McDermott is now 13-0 against Summit League teams as Creighton's coach ... Creighton owns a halftime lead for the first time in four home games this season ... Creighton improved to 16-1 all-time on FS2 with 14 of those wins by double-figures ... Creighton has won 29 straight games when allowing 69 points or less ... Modestas Kancleris scored the first four points of his Creighton career.
The win lifted Creighton to 7-1 on the season, while North Dakota State fell to 4-3 overall.
The Bluejays used their athleticism and defense to force eight Bison turnovers in the opening eight minutes. Creighton's offense proved equally impressive as nine different Bluejays scored as CU built a 20-12 edge midway through the opening half (10:27).
North Dakota State found its footing, trimming Creighton's advantage to just 27-25 (4:37). A pair of free throws from Kalkbrenner and two jumpers in the paint by freshman Ryan Nembhard delivered a quick response to push the lead back to eight at 33-25 (3:24). The Bluejays maintained that lead into the break, taking a 40-32 edge into the locker room at the half.
The Bluejays held an 18-0 edge on points off turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
Early in the second half the Bluejays continued to pound the ball inside, getting a pair of dunks by Kalkbrenner to ignite a 10-0 run to stretch the lead to 50-34 (15:27).
Up 55-42 moments later, Creighton put the game away with a 19-2 burst, pushing their lead out to 74-44 (5:30). Five Bluejays contributed in the surge, led by five points from Arthur Kaluma.
Kalkbrenner's 17 points led all scorers. Three other Bluejays reached double-figures with Kaluma finishing with 11 and Nembhard as well senior Alex O'Connell closing with 10 points each.
North Dakota State got a team-high 13 points from Dezmond McKinney in the loss, while Rocky Kreuser finished with 12 points.
The Bluejays outscored the Bison 44-16 in the paint and held a 26-2 edge on points off turnovers.
Creighton returns to the hardwood on Saturday, December 4 as the Bluejays host No. 19 Iowa State at 8:00 pm at CHI Health Center Omaha.
NOTES: Ryan Hawkins had three rebounds and now owns 1,000 in his collegiate career ... Hawkins' teams are now 166-5 since he enrolled in college six years ago ... Creighton is 7-1 for the fourth time under Greg McDermott and first time since 2016-17 ... Creighton owns 22 straight non-conference home wins and seven straight home wins overall ... Creighton is now 11-0 all-time against North Dakota State, with eight of those games having taken place in Omaha ... Greg McDermott is now 13-0 against Summit League teams as Creighton's coach ... Creighton owns a halftime lead for the first time in four home games this season ... Creighton improved to 16-1 all-time on FS2 with 14 of those wins by double-figures ... Creighton has won 29 straight games when allowing 69 points or less ... Modestas Kancleris scored the first four points of his Creighton career.
Team Stats
NDSU
CU
FG%
.340
.525
3FG%
.346
.400
FT%
.714
.833
RB
35
33
TO
17
6
STL
3
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
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