Bears Battle Past Zags 64-63 with Intense Defense and Clutch Finish

SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota — The No. 6 Baylor Men’s Basketball Team (6-2) scraped out a thrilling 64-63 victory over the No. 14 Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-3) in the first-ever Peacock Classic.

In a physical game with loose officiating, the Baylor defense looked the best it did all year, allowing just 63 points to a top-level offense. Dale Bonner specifically made a huge play right at the end of the game to force a turnover and take time off the clock forcing a much tougher final shot from the Zags.

Keyonte George put up 18 points to carry the Bears early, while senior Adam Flagler was clutch late to get to 11 points on the night.

Jalen Bridges netted the winning free throws in the final minute to make the difference with his eighth and ninth points.

Langston Love added ten very good bench points, adding a nice offensive flash off the bench for the Bears.

Love’s night was highlighted by an emphatic dunk in transition to put the green and gold up 16-5 in the first half. It was explosive and hopefully foreshadows fun development for the redshirt freshman in the near future.

The dunk came in the midst of four big first-half runs. BU started things off with a 10-0 run, the Zags responded with an 11-0 run before the teams traded 11-0 and 7-0 runs to make it 38-33 Bears at halftime.

The second half was tougher on the offensive end for the green and gold, with the Bears falling behind by as much as seven points with under two minutes to go. 

Drew Timme sparked an 8-0 run with his first buckets of the game before Adam Flagler stepped up in a massive way to knock down two threes, making it a one-point game.

While Keyonte George’s acrobatic drives and finishes in the lane were a spectacle to behold, what most Baylor fans will be clamoring about after this game is the defensive intensity. 

After Tuesday night in Milwaukee, this is what the Bears needed to show, and they got great late-game experience against a very good team as well.

Up next for the Bears, one last game at home in Waco before finals. Tuesday, Dec. 6th, tip-off versus Tarleton State is at 7 PM.