Postgame Takeaways: #2 Baylor 77, Iowa State 72

#2 Baylor (18-0; 10-0) was a little rusty coming off a 21 day COVID pause.  The Bears needed every ounce of energy and effort to hold off an inspired performance by Iowa State 2-17 (0-14) 77-72.  

Positives

• It is hard to win 18 in a row.  Baylor just did that.  Coming off an extended COVID pause the Bears found a way to grind out this win against a team playing above its pay grade.  
• Mark Vital, Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler, Adam Flagler and MaCio Teague all made veteran plays down the stretch.  There was no panic in Baylor’s first close game under 2 minutes.  
• Down 17 points, the Bears had a very workmanlike attack at chipping away at the lead.  
• Adam Flagler was terrific off the bench- 146 offensive rating; 22 points; no turnovers.  
• Hit clutch free throws.  15-21 from the free throw line.  
• Mark Vital 8 offensive rebounds absolutely crucial.  His rebounding was the reason we didn’t lose.  
• Butler and Teague with some great plays in crunch time.  
• Davion Mitchell no turnovers in 38 minutes. 

Needs Work

• Get the needed rest, legs were toast that was obvious.  
• Need Everyday Jon back, he’s such a key energy guy for us.  
• Chance to clinch the Big12 title in Lawrence.  What better storybook could you write than that?  
• Defensively we were not as locked in as we usually are.  Bears now #8 in defensive efficiency.  Need to be locked in defensively from the start.