Creighton's shooting, balanced attack sends Akron packing

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st March, 15:58 2024

Mar 21, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) grabs a rebound against Akron Zips forward Enrique Freeman (25) during the second half in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena. credits: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH — Ryan Kalkbrenner racked up 23 points and eight rebounds, Baylor Scheierman added 15 points and 13 boards and hot-shooting Creighton took care of Akron 77-60 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday afternoon.

The third-seeded Bluejays (24-9) shot 56.5 percent from the floor and a season-high 58.8 percent from 3-point range (10 of 17) to advance out of the first round for the fourth straight tournament. They will face the winner between No. 6 South Carolina and No. 11 Oregon in the next round.

All five Creighton starters reached double figures, as Trey Alexander scored 19 points and Mason Miller and Steven Ashworth each supplied 10. Creighton made 7 of 10 from 3-point range in the first half alone and won the rebounding battle 38-26.

Enrique Freeman powered No. 14 Akron (24-11) with 21 points and 14 rebounds. It marked Freeman's 31st double-double, tying David Robinson (Navy) and Armando Bacot (North Carolina) for the single-season record.

Ali Ali added 14 points for the Zips, who turned 14 Creighton turnovers into 14 points.

The Bluejays made 8 of 10 shots to start the game, including all three of their 3-pointers, yet they never led by more than four. Freeman knocked down three triples in the opening five minutes to buoy Akron.

Kalkbrenner put up 11 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer and a two-handed jam, but the Bluejays were hurt by seven turnovers. Nate Johnson pilfered Scheierman in the backcourt and fed Tavari Johnson to forge a 27-27 tie at the 7:26 mark.

Creighton ended the half on an 8-0 run to lead 39-34 at halftime. Alexander's triple tied the game at 34 and Miller broke the tie on the next possession with one of his own.

Creighton then pulled away with a 10-0 run in the early stages of the second half, while the Zips missed nine straight shots in a 4:31 scoring drought. Miller's third 3-pointer of the game capped the run for a 59-42 advantage with 12:29 to play.

The Bluejays grabbed their first 20-point lead with 9:37 left when Alexander got to the line for two free throws.

Freeman scored over Scheierman and Kalkbrenner back-to-back for Akron, but the Zips got no closer than 12 the rest of the way. Kalkbrenner's block of Greg Tribble and ensuing free throw with 2:38 left made it 73-58 and quashed any last-ditch rally.

—Adam Zielonka, Field Level Media