Baylor traveled to the WVU Coliseum and handed West Virginia a 63-53 defeat, fueled by a strong performance from Cameron Carr. The Bears' forward notched 16 points and 12 rebounds, leading his team to a crucial victory. Despite being predicted to lose by 7.1 points according to CHD Scout, Baylor proved the prognosticators wrong, outplaying West Virginia from the opening tip.
The first half was all Baylor, as the Bears stormed out to a 38-30 lead at the break. Carr was instrumental in the opening period, scoring 10 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to set the tone for his team. West Virginia's Brenen Lorient kept his team within striking distance, scoring 12 of his 19 points in the first half. However, the Mountaineers struggled to contain Baylor's balanced attack, which saw three players score in double figures.
In the second half, West Virginia attempted to mount a comeback, but Baylor's defense held strong. The Bears limited the Mountaineers to just 23 points in the final 20 minutes, including a stretch of over 5 minutes without a field goal. Obi Agbim and Tounde Yessoufou provided complementary scoring for Baylor, finishing with 16 and 11 points, respectively. Meanwhile, Lorient's supporting cast struggled to find their rhythm, with Chance Moore and Treysen Eaglestaff managing just 9 points each.
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The victory is a significant boost to Baylor's resume, as it marks a Quadrant 1 win for the Bears. With a current net ranking of 63, Baylor is still on the bubble, but this result will certainly help their cause. On the other hand, West Virginia's loss is a Quadrant 2 defeat, which may not be as damaging, but still raises concerns about the Mountaineers' ability to compete against top-tier opponents. With a net ranking of 65, West Virginia needs to regroup and refocus to stay in the tournament conversation.
This game was a reflection of Baylor's resilience and determination. Despite being predicted to lose, the Bears came out with a clear game plan and executed it to perfection. Carr's double-double was the difference-maker, and his teammates provided ample support to secure the win. As the season enters its final stretch, Baylor's performance against West Virginia will be a crucial factor in their tournament chances. With this victory, the Bears have taken a significant step forward, and their postseason prospects are looking brighter than ever.