Ryan Kalkbrenner stats last night - How did Crieghton’s marquee man fare in the season opener?

Creighton star Ryan Kalkbrenner had the best game of his career on Wednesday, leading the Bluejays to a commanding victory over UT Rio Grande Valley. Kalkbrenner scored a career-high 49 points while also contributing 11 rebounds in a 99-86 win.

Kalkbrenner, a reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year, started the game for Greg McDermott’s team and dominated throughout. His 49-point game almost broke Bob Portman's record for Creighton, who scored 51 points against Milwaukee in 1967.

Ryan Kalkbrenner stats vs. UTRGV

36 minutes played
49 points
11 rebounds
2 assists
3 blocks
0 steals
20-22 FG
2-2 3PT
7-8 FT
1 turnover

The 7-foot-1 big man from Florissant, Missouri, finished the game by shooting an impressive 20-for-22 from the field and 7-for-8 from the free throws.

Kalkbrenner scored the first eight points for the Bluejays and ended the first half with 20 points, with Creighton taking a 46-38 lead. After halftime, he added another 29, leading Creighton to win their 30th consecutive home opener. He also made two assists and blocked three shots.

"We kind of went into the game with a plan to establish me in the post and we went with that," Ryan said post-game. "I kept working and wasn't really thinking about what happened the previous play. I was just trying to make the next one."

His stat line catapulted him on the list of several records. Here are some of them:

2nd most points in a game by a Creighton player
5th most points in a game in Big East history
The 20 successful field goals in a game matched the Big East record
2nd highest points scored in a season-opening game this century

Coach Greg McDermott has high praise for Ryan Kalkbrenner

Creighton coach Greg McDermott was extremely pleased with Ryan Kalkbrenner's game against UTRGV and showered him with praise in the post-game conference.

"That was an incredible performance by Ryan," Greg said. "If he'd have made all his free throws, he'd have had 50."

McDermott also honored Kalkbrenner as among the best to play for the Bluejays.

"He's one of the best players to ever play here, and there have been some really good players that have played here," he added. "If you don't have him in this conversation, you're not paying attention ... This is my 15th year and five are with him. It's been a blessing to coach him and watch him."

Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is in his final college season, is a projected first-round pick in the draft next year. He averaged 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game last season.