No. 9 Baylor takes care of SHSU, stays unbeaten

WACO, Texas — No. 6 Baylor (7-0) opened their contest against Sam Houston State (4-3) on Wednesday evening by scoring the games first 10 points and never looked back, putting away the Bearkats 79-45 to stay undefeated.

After three consecutive games playing from behind, the game was a short reprieve for Scott Drew’s team who will face No. 7 Xavier on Saturday at the Ferrell Center, their third game against a ranked opponent in four outings.

Hot shooting from deep was the key to success for Baylor in the first half as four different Bears hit three-point shots, including two by junior point guard Manu Lecomte. Baylor, who led by as many as 21 in the first half, held a 34-17 lead at the break.

Baylor’s hot shooting from deep carried over to the second half, but it was in the paint that exclamation points were added.

At the 13-minute mark of the second half, Baylor extending their 17-point lead out to 26 with a massive ally-oop dunk from Ishmail Wainright to Jo Lual-Acuil followed by a steal and fast break dunk by Jake Lindsey.

Guard King McClure reached double figures for the second consecutive game. The sophomore connected on three triples and finished the game with 11 points. Guard Al Freeman (13) and Wainright (11) also scored in double figures.

Johnathan Motley and Lual-Acuil finished with a combined 15 points, 28 rebounds, 6 blocks, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Up Next: Baylor returns to the Ferrell Center on Saturday afternoon to face No. 7 Xavier at 2:30 p.m. CT.