‘Everyday Jon’ returns in Baylor’s win
WACO — Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua had waited 357 days to get back on the court for 11th-ranked Baylor. The big man had counted every single one of them since a gruesome knee injury last season.
Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored 8 points and had four rebounds while playing 14 minutes in his first game since tearing multiple ligaments in his left knee on Feb. 12, 2022, and the Bears beat Texas Tech 89-62 on Saturday.
“It was just surreal. I remember praying in my bedroom last night, just crying about all the trials that I’ve been going through and realizing the day is actually here. I’m actually playing,” Tchamwa Tchatchoua said. “I feel like it was a miracle for me to even be out here.”
The 6-foot-8 senior known as “Everyday Jon” for his constant highenergy approach in games and practices got a raucous standing ovation when he went to the scorer’s table to check in with 13:05 left in the first half. It was so loud that he didn’t even actually hear his name announced.
“A special day. I want to thank God for just allowing Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua to heal. It’s a miracle,” Bears coach Scott Drew said. “When the injury happened and hearing the prognosis as things came in, as a coach and someone that loves Jon and works with him, you didn’t know if he would ever walk, run, let alone play basketball.”
Jalen Bridges scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half and also finished with eight rebounds for the Bears
(17-6, 6-4 Big 12). He had two 3-point plays and another layup in a 14-2 run soon after halftime that extended Baylor’s lead to 14 points. He added a 3-pointer soon after that.
Freshman Keyonte George scored 17 points. Adam Flagler had 13 points and eight assists.
Texas Tech coach Mark Adams said Tchamwa Tchatchoua’s play somewhat affected what his team had planned, but he also touted Baylor’s standout guards.
“They’re just outstanding. This team, Baylor’s squad is one of the best offensive teams in the country, and they’re so explosive,” Adams said. “We were trying to keep them in check, and … (had) somewhat the first half, and then the dam broke.”
De’Vion Harmon had 20 points and Jaylon Tyson had 19 for Texas Tech (12-11, 1-9).
TEXAS A&M 82 GEORGIA 57
Henry Coleman III and Tyrece Radford scored 15 points apiece as the Aggies blasted the visiting Bulldogs.
Dexter Dennis added 12 points for Texas A&M (16-7, 8-2 SEC).
The Aggies have won four in a row, and eight of their last nine, against Georgia (14-9, 4-6).
Terry Roberts, who leads the Bulldogs in scoring (15.0 per game), assists (4.2) and steals (1.7), did not play (concussion protocols).
The Aggies rebounded from an 81-70 loss at Arkansas on Tuesday to win for the 10th time in the last 12 games.
OKLAHOMA STATE 79 NO. 15 TCU 73
Kalib Boone scored 25 points as the host Cowboys blew a 19-point second-half lead before recovering to upset the Horned Frogs.
Caleb Asberry added 19 points and John-Michael Wright had 17 for Oklahoma State (14-9, 5-5 Big 12). The Cowboys have won three straight to move back into the conversation for a potential
NCAA tournament berth.
NORTH TEXAS 74, RICE 64
Mekhi Mason scored 17 points to go with five rebounds as the Owls stumbled against the visiting Mean Green.
Kai Huntsberry led UNT with 21 points, five assists and four rebounds to hand Rice its third loss in a row.
FLORIDA A&M 76 TEXAS SOUTHERN 69
Noah Meren posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to power the visiting Rattlers to a victory over the Tigers.
John Walker III led Texas Southern (7-16, 3-7) with 26 points. Joirdon Karl Nicholas added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN 60 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 58
Zion Harmon had 14 points and Marcus Garrett added a double-double as the Wildcats held off the host Panthers.
Hegel Augustin and Yahuza Rasas had double-doubles for Prairie View A&M (8-15, 4-6). Augustin totaled 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Rasas scored 12 with 12 boards.
NICHOLLS 92
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 91
Maks Klanjscek poured in 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting for the host Huskies in a loss to the Colonels.
HCU has dropped its last four games and five of its last six.
TEXAS A&M-C.C. 83 SE LOUISIANA 72
Terrion Murdix’s 23 points helped the Islanders defeat the Lions on the road.
Murdix was 9-of-18 shooting, including 2for-4 from distance, and went 3-for-3 from the line for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (15-9, 8-3 Southland Conference).
UT ARLINGTON 70
SAM HOUSTON STATE 58
Chendall Weaver had 21 points in the host Mavericks’ win over the Bearkats.
EAST CAROLINA 77, SMU 72
Brandon Johnson scored 27 points as the host Pirates outlasted the Mustangs.
WESTERN KENTUCKY 74 UTEP 69
Dontaie Allen scored 25 points as the Hilltoppers won at home over the Miners.
INCARNATE WORD 78 NEW ORLEANS 70
Jonathan Cisse had 18 points in the Cardinals’ road win over the Privateers.
UT RIO GRANDE VALLEY 68 TARLETON 65
Justin Johnson scored 16 points as the Vaqueros picked up a road win over the Texans.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE 84 UTSA 59
Japhet Medor scored 8 points as no Roadrunners cracked double figures in scoring during a road loss to the Blue Raiders.
NORTHWESTERN STATE 72 LAMAR 68
Demarcus Sharp scored 23 points as the Demons went on the road to beat the Cardinals.