Sports Enormous East preseason participant of the year Ryan Kalkbrenner scored a profession-high 49 functions and 15th-ranked Creighton predominant goal appropriate about every body of them in a season-opening Ninety 9-86 win over UT-Rio Grande Valley on Wednesday night.
Creighton, a Sweet 16 crew three of the final four seasons, couldn’t shake off the Vaqueros of the Southland Conference till the final two minutes.
The 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner’s level total modified into the 2d-very most life like in program historical past behind Bob Portman’s 51 in opposition to UW-Milwaukee in 1967. The fifth-year center modified into an improbable 20 of twenty-two from the sector, alongside side 2 for 2 on 3-pointers, and he made 7 of 8 free throws. He also grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three photography.
Steven Ashworth scored 25 functions for the Bluejays.
Hasan Abdul-Hakim had 24 functions and Cliff Davis and DK Thorn added 17 apiece for the Vaqueros (0-2), who had been interior 87-82 when Howie Fleming Jr. made a fifth-likelihood basket with 2:37 left.
Takeaways UT Rio Grande Valley: The Vaqueros saved it nearby going 14 of 35 on 3-pointers and outworking Creighton on the boards within the 2d half of. They executed with 19 2d-likelihood functions. They dropped to 0-14 in opposition to Top 25 opponents and possess lost 56 straight in opposition to power-conference opponents, in accordance with Sportradar.
Creighton: The Bluejays had been 30-level favorites, in accordance with BetMGM Sportsbook, and got more than they bargained for in opposition to the Vaqueros. Coach Greg McDermott modified into forced to play his starters till the final minute.
Ryan Kalkbrenner drops a 49-level double-double in Creighton’s Ninety 9-86 win over UTRGV Key 2d Kalkbrenner scored 10 straight functions in a unfold of ways within the first half of. He made a free throw, hit a 3 from the waft, dunked a lob from Jamiya Neal, beat the participant guarding him downcourt for a fleet-damage layup and confirmed some put up moves for a straightforward bucket.
Key stat Creighton won its 30th straight home opener, a toddle that began in 1995.
Up next Creighton hosts Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday within the 2d of 4 home games over 11 days. UT-Rio Grande Valley returns home to play Champion Christian College on Sunday.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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