Baylor Basketball Fails to Defend Home Court Against No. 19 Arizona, 74-67
WACO, Texas — The Baylor Men’s Basketball team (16-10, 8-7 Big 12) lost its second home game of the season, dropping a late Monday night battle with the No. 19 Arizona Wildcats (18-8, 12-3 Big 12) by a score of 74-67. The Bears fell down by as much as 14 points in the second half before cutting the deficit to just three points multiple times in a doomed comeback attempt.
Baylor freshman guard VJ Edgecombe led all scorers with 24 points, but each bucket was hard-earned — something that could be said for the Baylor offense all night.
The Green and Gold labored against the Wildcats’ defense, shooting just 40% from the field and a paltry 5-for-22 from deep. While the Bears did make a concerted effort to go into the teeth of the Arizona defense to draw fouls while attacking the basket, the energy entered at both ends of the court seems to have caught up to Baylor on this occasion.
Norchad Omier, who earned yet another double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, was physically beaten up by the end of the game. He had multiple cuts on his arm at one point that had to be wrapped up before play could continue.
Senior guard Jayden Nunn made it to double figures for the fifth time in Big 12 play with 10 points on 3-for-4 shooting. His last bucket was a three that was part of the Bears’ last push, a 7-2 run that left the Bears down four points with four minutes left.
That Baylor run and the larger 12-2 run by the Green and Gold earlier in the second half were the bright spots. However, the Bears could not overcome that 14-point deficit that was created early in the second period thanks to an 8-0 run by the visitors.
Defensively for Baylor, it was a solid effort that was undone by their own struggles at the other end of the court. Forward Tobe Awaka led the Wildcats with 14 points, followed closely by Henri Veesaar and Caleb Love with 13 apiece.
Now the Bears prepare for a long weekend on the road with a Saturday trip to Colorado next on the schedule before a journey to Cincinnati the following Tuesday.
The Bears vs. Buffaloes matchup is set to tip off at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and will be available for streaming on ESPN+.