College Sports

Photos: NC State falls to Creighton in the NCAA basketball tournament

By Ethan Hyman

Updated March 17, 2023 9:42 PM

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) stands in front of his locker after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) stands in front of his locker after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

See photos from NC State’s 72-63 loss to Creighton in the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023, despite 32-point effort from Terquavion Smith.

The Wolfpack (23-10) came in as the No. 11 seed, an underdog to the Bluejays (21-12), the No. 6 seed in the NCAA South Region.

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner finished with a career high 31 points.

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) heads in to slam in two during Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) heads in to slam in two during Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) walks back to the bench during a timeout late in the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) walks back to the bench during a timeout late in the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Isaiah Miranda, left, walks off the court with Terquavion Smith after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Isaiah Miranda, left, walks off the court with Terquavion Smith after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) heads to the basket past Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) heads to the basket past Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State athletics director Boo Corrigan hugs Terquavion Smith in the locker room after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State athletics director Boo Corrigan hugs Terquavion Smith in the locker room after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State graduate manager Torin Dorn talks with Jarkel Joiner in the locker room after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. N.C. State’s Jack Clark sits to the right. — N.C. State graduate manager Torin Dorn talks with Jarkel Joiner in the locker room after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. N.C. State’s Jack Clark sits to the right. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts talks about Terquavion Smith, left, and Jarkel Joiner on the podium after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts talks about Terquavion Smith, left, and Jarkel Joiner on the podium after Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) reacts after fouling Creighton during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) reacts after fouling Creighton during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Jarkel Joiner (1) heads to the basket as Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) and Fredrick King (33) defend during Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Jarkel Joiner (1) heads to the basket as Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) and Fredrick King (33) defend during Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) defends Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) defends Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) blocks the shot by Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) as D.J. Burns Jr. (30) also defends during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) blocks the shot by Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman (55) as D.J. Burns Jr. (30) also defends during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts argues the call during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State head coach Kevin Keatts argues the call during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) heads to slam in two past Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) heads to slam in two past Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) celebrates after slamming in two during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) celebrates after slamming in two during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) drives to the basket past Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) drives to the basket past Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Jack Clark (5) shoots as Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) defends during Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Jack Clark (5) shoots as Creighton’s Trey Alexander (23) defends during Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) fouls N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) fouls N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s D.J. Burns Jr. (30) works against Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s D.J. Burns Jr. (30) works against Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) shoots as Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) defends during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) shoots as Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) defends during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Jack Clark (5) defends Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Jack Clark (5) defends Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Fans cheer the Wolfpack during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — Fans cheer the Wolfpack during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Jarkel Joiner (1) heads to the basket past Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Jarkel Joiner (1) heads to the basket past Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) shoots as Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) defends during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) shoots as Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) defends during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

From left, N.C. State’s Jack Clark (5), D.J. Burns Jr. (30) and Casey Morsell (14) watch as time runs out in Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — From left, N.C. State’s Jack Clark (5), D.J. Burns Jr. (30) and Casey Morsell (14) watch as time runs out in Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) slams in two past N.C. State’s Ernest Ross (24) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — Creighton’s Ryan Kalkbrenner (11) slams in two past N.C. State’s Ernest Ross (24) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips watches during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips watches during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) pulls in the rebound from Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Casey Morsell (14) pulls in the rebound from Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma (24) during the second half of Creighton’s 72-63 victory over N.C. State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

N.C. State’s Breon Pass (10) defends Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. — N.C. State’s Breon Pass (10) defends Creighton’s Ryan Nembhard (2) during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., Friday, March 17, 2023. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published March 17, 2023 at 4:57 PM with the headline "Photos: NC State falls to Creighton in the NCAA basketball tournament."