Baylor rallies past Oklahoma St. for 14th straight victory

STILLWATER, Okla. — Trailing by double digits well into the second half, Baylor’s seniors helped lead the rally.

Freddie Gillespie had 17 points, four rebounds and four blocks and Devonte Bandoo scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to help No. 2 Baylor rally past Oklahoma State 75-68 for the Bears’ 14th straight victory. Oklahoma State has lost five in a row.

Baylor (15-1, 5-0 Big 12) has the second-longest active streak in the nation and the third longest in school history.

Jared Butler added 17 points, six assists and three steals for Baylor, which overcame a 12point deficit in the last 14 minutes.

“I thought second half, we really did a good job taking care of the basketball, with only two turnovers,” said Baylor coach Scott Drew. “We really shared the ball well. It’s always a team game, you’re going to have different guys step up on different nights. I’m really pleased that we didn’t get rattled and were able to stay the course.”

Isaac Likekele scored 16 points and added nine rebounds, five assists and four steals for Oklahoma State (9-8, 0-5). Cameron McGriff had 16 points and five rebounds, while Thomas Dziagwa and Lindy Waters each scored 14. Oklahoma State shot 41 percent, the highest allowed by Baylor since Nov. 24, a span of 10 games.

“I think there’s a legit argument to be made that they’re the best team in the country,” said Oklahoma State coach Mike Boynton of Baylor.

The Bears were down 47-35 with 14 minutes remaining but used an 18-4 run over the next four-plus minutes to get back in the game. When MaCio Teague hit a 3-pointer 8:43 left, Baylor had its first lead.

OKLAHOMA 83, TCU 63

Brady Manek scored a careerhigh 31 points to lead host Oklahoma (12-5, 3-2) over TCU (12-5, 3-2). Desmond Bane led the Horned Frogs with 12 points, and Jaedone LeDee added 11 off the bench.

TEXAS TECH 72, IOWA STATE 52

Kyler Edwards had 22 points, and No. 23 Texas Tech (12-5, 3-2) pulled away from Iowa State (8-9, 1-4) in the second half in Lubbock.

SOUTHERN MISS 81, RICE 68

Jay Malone hit six of 10 3pointers to score a career-high 27 points and made seven assists as Southern Miss ended a five-game skid with its first Conference USA win of the season. Trey Murphy III scored 19 points off the bench and Josh Parrish added 13 points on 6for-6 shooting for the Owls (9-10, 1-5).

TEXAS SOUTHERN 77, JACKSON STATE 66

In Jackson, Miss., Bryson Etienne scored a game-high 27 points to lead the Texas Southern (6-11, 3-1 Southwest Athletic

Conference), which led 38-29 at halftime. Yahuza Rasas added 13 points and 11 rebounds for Texas Southern.

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M 64, GRAMBLING 57

In Grambling, La., Gerard Andrus scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Panthers (7-10, 3-1 SWAC), who led 33-28 at halftime. Travon Bunch led Grambling (9-9, 3-2 SWAC).

SAM HOUSTON ST. 94, HOUSTON BAPTIST 75

Zach Nutall finished with 23 points for Sam Houston State, which led 46-33 at halftime. Ian Dubose scored a game-high 27 points for Houston Baptist.