LJ Cryer scored 16 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead a balanced offensive attack as Baylor was in complete control during a 74-58 victory over visiting Oklahoma State on Saturday in a Big 12 Conference game at Waco, Texas.
Baylor only was slowed by an 18-minute delay because of a power outage midway through the second half but the Bears (12-5, 2-3 Big 12) were up 24 points by then.
The Bears rolled to the victory thanks to a huge discrepancy at the free throw line and solid defense that limited the Cowboys to a 38.3 showing from the floor.
Flo Thamba and Jalen Bridges added 12 points each for Baylor while Adam Flagler had 11. The Bears were 15 of 22 from the free-throw line while Oklahoma State finished 5 for 8.
Caleb Asberry had 14 points and Avery Anderson III had 11 for Oklahoma State (9-8, 1-4), which dropped its third straight game.
The Bears took charge from the opening tip by taking a 13-0 lead in a run capped by a 3-pointer by Bridges with 16:19 remaining in the first half. Baylor eventually led by 14 points before the Cowboys responded with a 10-1 spurt that brought them to within 17-15 at the midway point of the first half.
Baylor was up by five points after Oklahoma State’s Avery Anderson made a jumper with 8:05 remaining in the half. The Bears created some separation with a 12-2 surge take a 34-19 advantage with 5:18 to play before halftime.
The teams then staggered to the end of half, with Oklahoma State missing six of its final seven shots and the Bears missing three shots and committing three turnovers before going to the break up 39-23.
Cryer led all scorers with 12 points before halftime as Baylor shot 44.0 percent in the first half and 46.3 percent in the game. Oklahoma State was just 3 of 20 (15.0 percent) from 3-point range in the first half and 7 of 33 (21.2 percent) in the game.
–Field Level Media