Nembhard helps Creighton beat Baylor 85-76, on to Sweet 16
Creighton guard Ryan Nembhard, left, looks to pass the ball as Baylor forward Jalen Bridges, front right, forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua and guard LJ Cryer defend in the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Denver. Credit: AP/John Leyba
DENVER — Ryan Nembhard had a career-high 30 points and No. 6 seed Creighton found its shooting touch to beat third-seeded Baylor 85-76 on Sunday night and earn a spot in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons.
With Baylor heavily focused on containing big man Ryan Kalkbrenner, Nembhard and the Bluejays went to work from outside. They shot 45.8% from 3-point range after a 3-for-20 showing in a first-round win over North Carolina State. They also went 22 of 22 from the free throw line, including 10 for 10 from Nembhard.
The Bluejays (23-12) will meet 15th-seeded Princeton in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday in the NCAA Tournament. Princeton reached the South Region semifinals with wins over Arizona and Missouri.
LJ Cryer finished with 30 points for Baylor (23-11), which lost in the second round for the second consecutive year after winning the championship in 2021. Big 12 freshman of the year Keyonte George was held to seven points, well below his average of 15.6. George is projected as a potential lottery pick — should he decide to leave after this season.
Leading by double digits, the Bluejays extended the lead — and pumped up the crowd — on back-to-back 3-pointers from Francisco Farabello and Nembhard.
The Bears cut it to 79-70 with around 3 minutes remaining, but turnovers kept them from getting any closer.
Trey Alexander added 17 points, Arthur Kaluma 11 and Kalkbrenner had 10.
Baylor guard Keyonte George, left, passes the ball as Creighton guard Trey Alexander, center, and center Fredrick King defend in the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Denver. Credit: AP/John Leyba
Nembhard, whose brother, Andrew, plays for the Indiana Pacers, was 4 of 6 from 3-point range. His previous high was 25 against Arkansas on Nov. 22.
This could be telling for Creighton: The Bears have lost to the eventual national champion four times (1946, 1948, 2010 and 2012) and to runner-up North Carolina last season.
BIG PICTURE
Creighton: Improved to 18-24 all-time in the tournament.
Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman, right, drives past Baylor guard Adam Flagler in the first half of a second-round college basketball game in the men's NCAA Tournament Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Denver. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
Baylor: The Bears are 19-10 in the NCAA Tournament under coach Scott Drew.
UP NEXT
Not much recent between Creighton and Princeton. The Jays did beat the Tigers 63-54 on Dec. 29, 1961.
