The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No. 1 Baylor stays unbeaten with tough win over Iowa State
Baylor has a new cast of players, but its depth and defense showed up as usual in one of the most anticipated games of the season so far. James Akinjo scored 16 points, LJ Cryer had 10 of his 13 in the second half, and the top-ranked Bears beat No. 8 Iowa State 77-72 on Saturday for the Cyclones’ first loss.
Baylor (13-0, 1-0 Big 12) never trailed in only the fourth Division I matchup of 12-0 teams in 40 years and the first game between top-10 teams at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa since 2014. The defending national champs got the tough game they expected and had to overcome 19 turnovers and foul trouble.
“First and foremost, it shows we have a great rotation,” coach Scott Drew said. “Different people stepped up at different times, and you need that because not everybody has great shooting nights and great games.” The Bears extended their win streak to 19 games and are among three remaining unbeaten teams. USC and Colorado State are the others.
Tristan Enaruna scored a careerhigh 23 for the Cyclones (12-1, 0-1), off to the second-best start in program history under first-year coach T.J. Otzelberger after winning two games last season. Izaiah Brockington added 18 points for the Cyclones, who dropped their 24th straight Big 12 game.
Elsewhere Saturday
(At) No. 17 Texas 74, West Virginia 59: Marcus Carr scored a season-best 20 points and Texas won in a Big 12 opener, snapping the Mountaineers’ eight-game winning streak. West Virginia (112) played without starting guard and top scorer Taz Sherman (20.9 ppg) along with reserves Gabe Osabuohien and Kobe Johnson, all in COVID-19 protocols.
Texas (11-2) led by 28 with 13 minutes remaining, but West Virginia used improved shooting and dogged defense to make the game more competitive. Jalen Bridges led West Virginia with 18 points.
No. 22 Villanova 73, (at) No. 15 Seton Hall 67: Justin Moore hit a go-ahead jumper with 1:36 to play for Villanova. Collin Gillespie scored 21 points, Brandon Slater added 17 and Moore had 13 for the Wildcats (9-4, 2-1 Big East). Jermaine Samuels added 11 points and 11 rebounds for Villanova, which dominated the boards 42-28.
No. 21 Providence 70, (at) DePaul 53: Aljami Durham scored 17 points as the Friars (13-1, 3-0 Big East), off to their best start since 2015-16, grabbed a 25-point halftime lead on the way to their eighth straight win. Javon Freeman-Liberty led DePaul (9-3, 0-2) with 22 points.