By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor used a NCAA tournament school record 16 3-pointers and a key 11-2 run in the latter stages of the second half to defeat Syracuse, 78-69, in a West Region first round game of the NCAA tournament at the Vinvint Smart Home Arena Thursday in Salt Lake City.
The Bears (20-13) ended a four-game losing streak, which was the longest of any team in the field of 68. They advance to Saturday's second round to face No. 1 seed Gonzaga. Baylor also beat Syracuse for the first time in three attempts.
Shooting 29 percent from beyond the arc to close the season, Baylor put those frustrations behind them and wound going 16-of-34 (47.1%).
Tied 57-57 with 9:47 to play, the Bears used the run thanks to two 3-pointers from Jared Butler and a 3-pointer from Mario Kegler. The Orange (20-14) closed the gap to three points on two occasions but couldn't get any closer. The Bears put the game away inside the final minute with free throws.
Playing with a banged up knee and throbbing right big toe, grad transfer guard Makai Mason led the Bears with 22 points. The last six coming in the final 2:20. Jared Butler added 14, while Mario Kegler scored 13. Syracuse's Elijah Hughes led all scorers with 25.
Publisher
Baylor used a NCAA tournament school record 16 3-pointers and a key 11-2 run in the latter stages of the second half to defeat Syracuse, 78-69, in a West Region first round game of the NCAA tournament at the Vinvint Smart Home Arena Thursday in Salt Lake City.
The Bears (20-13) ended a four-game losing streak, which was the longest of any team in the field of 68. They advance to Saturday's second round to face No. 1 seed Gonzaga. Baylor also beat Syracuse for the first time in three attempts.
Shooting 29 percent from beyond the arc to close the season, Baylor put those frustrations behind them and wound going 16-of-34 (47.1%).
Tied 57-57 with 9:47 to play, the Bears used the run thanks to two 3-pointers from Jared Butler and a 3-pointer from Mario Kegler. The Orange (20-14) closed the gap to three points on two occasions but couldn't get any closer. The Bears put the game away inside the final minute with free throws.
Playing with a banged up knee and throbbing right big toe, grad transfer guard Makai Mason led the Bears with 22 points. The last six coming in the final 2:20. Jared Butler added 14, while Mario Kegler scored 13. Syracuse's Elijah Hughes led all scorers with 25.
