Baylor Basketball
Bears advance in Battle 4 Atlantis, knock off No. 24 Michigan State
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Scott Drew might not think so, but it might be a good idea for the Baylor basketball team to spot a lead to their opponent in the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament on Friday. The Bears moved to 5-0 with a 73-58 victory over No. 24 Michigan State on Thursday afternoon.
After falling behind by 10 points with 7:58 remaining in the first half, Johnathan Motley and the Bears finally found their groove and cut Michigan State’s lead to only three at the half and it gave them a surge of momentum that carried the rest of the game.
An Al Freeman three-point basket tied the game up early in the second half a Motley dunk on the next possession gave Baylor a lead that they would not lose the remainder of the game. In fact, the Bears would go on to extend their lead over No. 24 Michigan State out 19 on multiple occasions, including a 66-47 lead with 6:14 remaining in the game.
Motley, who carried Baylor through the first half with 20 first-half points, finished the day with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Motley was joined by fellow big-man Jo Lual-Acuil in double figures with 14 points. The 7-footer also collected 8 rebounds.
Senior forward Ish Wainright and junior point guard Manu Lecomte combined for 15 points and 15 assists.
Baylor: Jonathan Motley (26)
MSU: Miles Bridges (15)
Rebounds
Baylor: Two tied at 8
MSU: Lourawis Nairn Jr. (6)
Assists
Baylor: Ish Wainright (8)
MSU: Eron Harris (4)
Blocks
Baylor: Jo Lual-Acuil (1)
MSU: Miles Bridges (3)
After falling behind by 10 points with 7:58 remaining in the first half, Johnathan Motley and the Bears finally found their groove and cut Michigan State’s lead to only three at the half and it gave them a surge of momentum that carried the rest of the game.
An Al Freeman three-point basket tied the game up early in the second half a Motley dunk on the next possession gave Baylor a lead that they would not lose the remainder of the game. In fact, the Bears would go on to extend their lead over No. 24 Michigan State out 19 on multiple occasions, including a 66-47 lead with 6:14 remaining in the game.
Motley, who carried Baylor through the first half with 20 first-half points, finished the day with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Motley was joined by fellow big-man Jo Lual-Acuil in double figures with 14 points. The 7-footer also collected 8 rebounds.
Senior forward Ish Wainright and junior point guard Manu Lecomte combined for 15 points and 15 assists.
Top Performers
PointsBaylor: Jonathan Motley (26)
MSU: Miles Bridges (15)
Rebounds
Baylor: Two tied at 8
MSU: Lourawis Nairn Jr. (6)
Assists
Baylor: Ish Wainright (8)
MSU: Eron Harris (4)
Blocks
Baylor: Jo Lual-Acuil (1)
MSU: Miles Bridges (3)
Never miss the latest news from SicEm365!
Join our free email list