WACO, Texas – The electric atmosphere at Foster Pavilion was charged with anticipation as the No. 11 Baylor Bears faced off against the No. 2 Houston Cougars in a game that promised to be a clash of titans. And oh, did it deliver! The Bears showcased their resilience, battling back from a significant deficit to push the game into an adrenaline-pumping overtime. Despite the eventual 82-76 loss, the Bears proved they could hang with the best, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second.
The game started with the Cougars asserting dominance, leveraging a series of turnovers to build a commanding lead. By halftime, the scoreboard read 41-25 in favor of Houston, a testament to their sizzling 58% shooting and physical gameplay that seemed to catch the Bears off-guard. Baylor’s coach Scott Drew reflected on the first half with candor, admitting the team was ’embarrassed by how we played, how we competed.’
But as the second half unfolded, the Bears emerged from the locker room with a newfound vigor. Led by Jalen Bridges, who notched his first double-double of the year with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, Baylor went on a 12-0 run, slicing the Cougars’ lead to a mere four points. RayJ Dennis, with his 21 points and five assists, was instrumental in this comeback, hitting crucial shots and fueling the Bears’ resurgence.
The Bears’ tenacity was on full display as they clawed back into the game. With just seconds left in regulation, freshman 7-footer Yves Missi’s layup through contact tied the game at 69-69, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The missed and-one free throw that followed was a heart-stopper, but it set the stage for an overtime showdown.
In overtime, Baylor briefly took the lead, but Houston’s relentless free-throw shooting and a 9-1 run sealed the deal for the Cougars. Houston’s LJ Cryer, facing his former team, remained unfazed by the boos and chants of ‘traitor,’ contributing 15 points to his team’s victory.
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson summed up the game’s ebb and flow, saying, ‘It felt like it was three different games.’ Indeed, the contest was a rollercoaster of emotions, with each team showcasing moments of sheer brilliance.
As the dust settled, Baylor’s performance, despite the loss, was a testament to their fighting spirit. The Bears’ ability to outrebound Houston 37-29 and secure second-chance points highlighted their grit and determination. Coach Drew, while proud of the effort, lamented the execution in the first half but must now look ahead to the next challenge.
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