Flagler, Freshmen Carry Bears to Sweep of Sooners, 82-72

WACO, Texas — The No. 14 Baylor Men’s Basketball team (18-6, 7-4) ground its way past the Oklahoma Sooners (12-12, 2-9) thanks to outstanding performances from freshman Keyonte George, redshirt freshman Langston Love, and redshirt senior Adam Flagler. The final score was 82-72.

George led all scorers with 23 points while Flagler and Love followed closely with 20 and 19 points respectively. 

While George got hot early with 15 first-half points and Flagler closed things down late with 14 in the second half, the importance of Love’s even-keeled performance can not be understated.

Starting shooting guard LJ Cryer did not play in the second half due to “something with his foot” according to head coach Scott Drew, so Love’s production was needed. And the first-year player stepped up to the challenge with poise and — dare it be said — ease.

The green and gold played some clean ball today, turning the ball over just seven times compared to Oklahoma’s 14. 

Though it was tough for Baylor to break clear of the visitors. 

The offense was fairly dependent on individual skill and success, with the Bears assisting on just 10 of their 27 made buckets.

For much of the first half, Baylor could not grow its lead past seven, and when they finally got it to nine points just before the half, Milos Uzan nailed a buzzer-beating three to draw it back to six. 41-35 at the break.

To start the second period, Oklahoma stole some momentum and even a brief one-point lead thanks to a 6-0 run and a Tanner Groves jumper to make it 48-47.

Flagler, Love and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua responded immediately with a 6-0 run of their own capped by an Everyday Jon triple.

The Sooners hung around, but another 6-0 run for the Bears just under the two-minute mark expanded a five-point lead to a more comfortable 79-68 advantage. 

To expand on the Cryer injury note, the foot issue is not believed to be related to his injury from last season. Caleb Lohner is also dealing with a foot issue Drew noted in the postgame presser as well.

The Bears will be hoping they heal up quickly with a tip to TCU coming up on Saturday. That game will tip off at 3 PM in Fort Worth and will be available on ESPN 2.