Ryan Kalkbrenner had a game-high 20 points and nine rebounds as visiting Creighton soared to a 79-61 Big East win over Seton Hall Tuesday night in Newark, N.J.
The Bluejays (21-9, 14-5 Big East) enhanced their odds for the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Big East tournament with the victory, and they will look to continue their momentum as the regular season comes to a close.
Creighton jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, with Kalkbrenner leading the charge. The Bluejays' big man was unstoppable at times, using his size and strength to score easily in the paint and draw fouls from the Seton Hall defenders.
Seton Hall struggled to find any rhythm on offense, and the Pirates' defense was unable to slow down Kalkbrenner and the rest of the Creighton attack. The Bluejays shot 51.9% from the field and 44.4% from three-point range, while Seton Hall managed just 36.5% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.
The win was a crucial one for Creighton, as it keeps the Bluejays in contention for the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament. With just a few games left to play, every victory is important, and Creighton will look to build on this momentum as it heads into the final stretch of the season.
Kalkbrenner's performance was the highlight of the game, but he was not the only Creighton player to have a big night. Several other Bluejays chipped in with key contributions, including a strong defensive effort that held Seton Hall to just 61 points.
As the season winds down, Creighton is looking like a team that could make some noise in the postseason. With Kalkbrenner leading the way, the Bluejays have the potential to be a difficult matchup for any team they face, and they will be a interesting team to watch as the tournament approaches.