No. 2 Baylor rallies, survives Iowa State
WACO — Adam Flagler scored a season-high 22 points, Jared Butler had 15 of his 18 points after halftime and No. 2 Baylor finally overcame the rust of a three-week break and Iowa State for a 77-72 victory Tuesday night, making the Bears 18-0 for the first time in school history.
The Bears (18-0, 10-0 Big 12) played for the first time since an 83-69 win at then-No. 6 Texas on Feb. 2 when they had matched the best start in school history. They then had six consecutive games postponed because of COVID-19 issues in the program, and hadn’t even had another full practice until Sunday.
Iowa State (2-17, 0-14) jumped out to a 15-4 lead in less than 6½ minutes on a jumper by Tre Jackson. Their biggest lead was 32-15 when Harris made his fourth 3-pointer of the game with 6:24 left in the first half.
Tyler Harris had 22 points for the Cyclones with five 3-pointers, while Rasir Bolton had 21 points and Jalen Coleman-Lands 13.
The Bears never led until MaCio Teague made two free throws with 4:26 left for a 66-65 advantage. They never trailed again, but needed a go-ahead basket by Teague after Jalen Coleman-Lands made a tying 3 with 2:53 left. Teague and Butler combined for the last nine Baylor points.
Teague finished with 14 points, and Mark Vital had 15 rebounds.
It was the closest game of the season for Baylor, which had won all of its previous games by at least eight points — and had only two games decided by fewer than 10 points.
MICHIGAN STATE 81 NO. 5 ILLINOIS 72
In East Lansing, Mich., Aaron Henry scored 20 points and Joshua Langford had 15 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for the Spartans (12-9, 6-9 Big Ten), who kept alive their chances of playing in their 23rd straight NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini (16-6, 12-4) had won a Big Ten-best seven straight games.
KANSAS STATE 62 NO. 7 OKLAHOMA 57
In Manhattan, Kan., Mike McGuirl scored a team-high 19 points as the Wildcats (6-18, 2-13 Big 12) broke a 29-all halftime tie to upset the Sooners (14-5, 9-4). Austin Reaves scored a gamehigh 25 points for Oklahoma.
NO. 8 VILLANOVA 81 ST. JOHN’S 58
In Villanova, Pa., Caleb Daniels scored 17 points as the Wildcats (15-3, 10-2 Big East) avenged their loss three weeks ago to the Red Storm (14-9, 8-9).
NO. 10 WEST VIRGINIA, 74 TCU 66
In Fort Worth, Taz Sherman scored 23 points, Derek Culver had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and the Mountaineers (16-6, 9-4 Big 12) continued its solid play on the road.
RJ Nembhard led the Horned Frogs (11-10, 4-8) with 17 points, his 18th straight game scoring in double digits.
GEORGIA TECH 69 NO. 16 VIRGINIA TECH 53
In Blacksburg, Va., Moses Wright scored 17 of his 26 points in the second half, helping the Yellow Jackets (12-8, 8-6) post back-to-back Atlantic Coast Conference wins for the first time since 2008.
Keve Aluma had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Hokies (14-5, 8-4), whose 53 points were a season low.
MISSISSIPPI 60 NO. 24 MISSOURI 53
In Columbia, Mo., Devontae Shuler scored a game-high 14 points to lead four Rebels (12-9, 7-7 Southeastern Conference). Kobe Brown scored 12 points to lead the Tigers (14-6, 7-6).
TEXAS SOUTHERN 82 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 45
At Health and Physical Education Arena, the Tigers (8-8, 5-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) got back to .500 behind Karl Nicholas’ 19 points.
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 72 ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 56
In Prairie View, Jawaun Daniels scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the Panthers (9-4, 8-0 SWAC).
Women
NO. 8 MARYLAND 111, IOWA 93
In College Park, Md., Katie Benzan scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Terrapins (17-2, 13-1 Big Ten). Caitlin Clark scored 29 of her 34 points in the first half for the Hawkeyes (12-7, 8-7).
TEXAS SOUTHERN 78 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 66
Quatera Limbrick scored a game-high 22 points for the Tigers (3-6, 2-5 SWAC) at Health and Physical Education Arena.