In a thrilling opener at the 2026 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship, Baylor's late-game rally fell just short against Arizona State, resulting in an 83-79 defeat at the T-Mobile Center. The Bears, finishing their season at 16-16, fought valiantly but couldn't quite overcome the Sun Devils' sharp shooting.
Cameron Carr was the standout for Baylor, delivering a stellar 25-point performance, including five three-pointers and an impressive 8-for-9 from the free-throw line. Despite his efforts, Arizona State's 57.4% shooting from the field proved too much to handle.
Joining Carr in double figures, Isaac Williams IV added 15 points, while Tounde Yessoufou contributed 14. Caden Powell and Dan Skillings Jr. each chipped in 10, showcasing a balanced offensive effort from the Bears. However, Baylor struggled from beyond the arc, managing only 8-of-33 from three-point range.
The game started with Caden Powell scoring the initial points, but Baylor soon hit a rough patch, missing four consecutive shots and trailing 6-3 early. Tounde Yessoufou's layup sparked some momentum, yet Arizona State capitalized on Baylor's early shooting woes, racing to a 16-7 lead.
Cameron Carr's deep shot temporarily halted the Sun Devils' momentum, but they extended their lead with a 13-3 run. Baylor responded with an 8-0 burst, narrowing the gap to 29-25. Despite Carr's 15 first-half points, Arizona State entered halftime with a 44-35 advantage.
In the second half, Baylor continued to battle. Williams found his groove, scoring seven quick points and helping cut the deficit to 61-52 with ten minutes remaining.
The Bears kept pushing, going 6-for-6 from the field and closing the gap to 67-62. Yet, Arizona State's defense clamped down, forcing a scoring drought for Baylor and sealing the game with a 7-0 run.
Though the Bears showed resilience, Arizona State's efficiency and timely defensive plays were the difference-makers. As Baylor looks ahead, they'll aim to build on this experience and come back stronger next season.