Nembhard helps Creighton beat Baylor 85-76, on to Sweet 16

DENVER (AP) — Ryan Nembhard had a career-high30 points and No. 6 seed Creighton found its shooting touch to beatthird-seeded Baylor 85-76 on Sunday night and earn a spot in theSweet 16 for the second time in three seasons.

With Baylor heavily focused on containing big man RyanKalkbrenner, Nembhard and the Bluejays went to work from outside.They shot 45.8% from 3-point range after a 3-for-20 showing in afirst-round win over North Carolina State. They also went 22 of 22from the free throw line, including 10 for 10 from Nembhard.

The Bluejays (23-12) will meet 15th-seeded Princeton inLouisville, Kentucky, on Friday in the NCAA Tournament. Princetonreached the South Region semifinals with wins over Arizona andMissouri.

LJ Cryer finished with 30 points for Baylor (23-11), which lostin the second round for the second consecutive year after winningthe championship in 2021. Big 12 freshman of the year KeyonteGeorge was held to seven points, well below his average of 15.6.George is projected as a potential lottery pick — should he decideto leave after this season.

Leading by double digits, the Bluejays extended the lead — andpumped up the crowd — on back-to-back 3-pointers from FranciscoFarabello and Nembhard.

The Bears cut it to 79-70 with around 3 minutes remaining, butturnovers kept them from getting any closer.

Trey Alexander added 17 points, Arthur Kaluma 11 and Kalkbrennerhad 10.

Nembhard, whose brother, Andrew, plays for the Indiana Pacers,was 4 of 6 from 3-point range. His previous high was 25 againstArkansas on Nov. 22.

This could be telling for Creighton: The Bears have lost to theeventual 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.

Baylor: The Bears are 19-10 in the NCAA Tournament under coachScott Drew.

UP NEXT

Not much recent between Creighton and Princeton. The Jays didbeat the Tigers 63-54 on Dec. 29, 1961.