Baylor Edges Past West Virginia in a Nail-Biter at WVU Coliseum
The Baylor Bears, ranked 24th, narrowly defeated the 22nd-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers with a final score of 66-65. The Bears now hold an impressive record of 24-2 while the Mountaineers stand at 22-4 after this intense conference game.
In what was a closely contested battle at the WVU Coliseum, the Baylor Bears showcased their resilience and tactical acumen. The first quarter saw them trailing with only 13 points to the Mountaineers' 16. However, they maintained composure and finished the half just one point behind their opponents. The third quarter proved pivotal for Baylor as they amassed an impressive 25 points, turning the tide in their favor.
The Bears' performance was highlighted by their balanced offensive and defensive efforts. They shot at a solid rate from both inside and outside the arc, with field goal percentages standing at 45 percent overall and three-point shots dropping at a rate of 38 percent. Their two-point attempts were successful nearly half of the time (48 percent), demonstrating efficiency in close-range play.
Defensively, Baylor managed to secure more rebounds than West Virginia with a total count of 31 compared to their opponent's 24. This included grabbing crucial offensive rebounds which led to second-chance points totaling up to an important sum of 14 for Baylor.
Despite committing more turnovers (24) than West Virginia (20), Baylor capitalized on these mistakes by scoring an impressive number of points off turnovers – totaling up to eighteen – which played no small part in securing their victory.
Star players from Baylor stepped up when it mattered most; contributions across steals (9), assists (11), and blocks (4) were significant factors that disrupted West Virginia's flow throughout the game. Free throws also played a critical role as Baylor made good on these opportunities with an accuracy rate of approximately three-quarters (76 percent).
As fans look ahead, they can anticipate another exciting matchup for the Bears who are scheduled to face off against Cincinnati Bearcats on February 27th at Fifth Third Arena located in Cincinnati, Ohio. This upcoming game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+ starting from around five o'clock post meridian Eastern Time for fans eager to follow every moment as it unfolds.