The Baylor Bears contains the Kansas State Wildcats

In the first game of the second day of action in the Baylor Bears took on the Kansas State Wildcats.  The Bears wanted to avoid an early out exit from the Big 12 tournament that they experienced last year.

Thanks to the inspired play of sophomore forward Perry Jones III the Bears didn’t have to experience the feeling of leaving early this year.  The Bears defeat the Wildcats 82-74.  To move on to play the winner of the winner of the Kansas/ Texas A&M winner.

Perry Jones the III played against the Wildcats as if he was a man on a mission.  Jones III went 8 for 8 for his field goal attempts in the first half.  Jones III scored 20 points made a three point attempt and converted on 4-6 from the free throw line. 

This energy was enough to guide the Bears to a 45-36 halftime lead.  Jones was not the only Bear to have a great half of basketball, Brady Hesllip went 4-7 from the field including two three pointers. 

Jordan Henriquez of the Wildcats had have points to try to keep his team within range of the Bears.  With 6:43 left in the half and the score tied at 27, the Bears went on a 19-8 run triggered by Heslip and Jones with 13 points to close out the half.

The second half of the game belonged to A. J. Walton of the Bears.  Walton scored 10 of his 11 points in the second half.  Each basket came at a critical time in the game, because they stopped any runs that the Wildcats tried to put together. 

Jones finished the game with a career high 31 points for the game.  Walton had a career high in steals with four in the game.  Heslip finished the game with 15 points.  Jones said, “My teammates encourage me to shoot shots I don’t normally take. They told me to do it like I did in practice.”

Baylor head coach Scott Drew said, “I’m pleased with the way our guys played today.  I though we took much better care of the basketball.”

Kansas State head coach Frank Martin said, “They’re (Baylor) a final four contending team, and they were real good. Our offense was not the problem today.  It was our defense.”  

The Wildcats were led by Jordan Henriquez with 22 points.  Henriquez made 9 of 13 shots and had the game high rebounds with.  Rodney MaGruder despite scoring 14 points could never get on track.

The Wildcats will wait until selection Sunday to see where they will be playing next week.  The Bears are looking to improve their NCAA seeding.

Box score