**Ryan Kalkbrenner's Exceptional Performance Leads Creighton to Season-Opening Victory**

In the third day of the college basketball season, Ryan Kalkbrenner has already solidified himself as a standout player. The 7-foot-1 senior made a resounding impact on Wednesday night as Creighton secured a 99-86 win over UT Rio Grande Valley.

Kalkbrenner's performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He sank 20 out of 22 shots, amassing 49 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks during his 36 minutes on the court. His accuracy led him to break Creighton's record for most field goals in a game, a milestone not reached since Bob Portman's 51-point game against Milwaukee in 1967. Additionally, Kalkbrenner is now the first Division I player to achieve 20 made field goals in a game with at least 90% shooting accuracy since Bill Walton’s legendary 1973 NCAA Championship performance.

Creighton coach Greg McDermott praised Kalkbrenner for his hard work and dedication. "To go to work like he did in the offseason, and then the first time you're under the lights for real, to do something superhuman, it's pretty special," McDermott said. "And he deserves it. There's not a person on the planet that deserves success more than Ryan Kalkbrenner because of the way he's approached everything on a daily basis."

Rated as a CBS Sports First Team All-American during the preseason, Kalkbrenner averaged 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks last season. His pivotal role helped Creighton advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. His exceptional performance continues to be a major driving force for the Bluejays, who are currently ranked No. 20 in CBS Sports' Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings.

Creighton’s next matchup will be against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday. Following that, they will face Nebraska on November 22, before traveling to the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. At the festival, they will open against San Diego State on November 26 and then play Texas A&M the next day.