Baylor’s Furious Comeback Falls Just Short in Narrow Loss to No. 7 Iowa State
AMES, Iowa - In a game that had more swings than a playground, Baylor went toe-to-toe with No. 7 Iowa State in one of the Big 12’s toughest environments - and nearly pulled off a stunner. Despite erasing a 15-point second-half deficit and giving themselves a chance to tie it in the final seconds, the Bears came up just short, falling 72-69 in a thriller at Hilton Coliseum.
This one had everything: lead changes, clutch shot-making, and a Baylor squad that refused to fold when things looked bleakest. The Bears (13-10, 3-8 Big 12) battled back behind a barrage of threes and relentless effort on the offensive glass, but Iowa State (21-2, 8-2 Big 12) held on by the skin of their teeth, surviving a final Baylor shot that rattled off the rim in the closing moments.
Carr Catches Fire
Cameron Carr was electric. The sophomore guard poured in a game-high 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including five makes from beyond the arc. Whether it was pulling up in transition or knocking down catch-and-shoot looks, Carr was in rhythm all afternoon and gave Baylor a fighting chance down the stretch.
Tounde Yessoufou added 17 points and six boards, and his corner three with one second left trimmed the Cyclones’ lead to just three. Obi Agbim continued his steady production with 15 points, while Caden Powell was a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor, chipping in eight.
The Rally That Almost Was
Down 72-58 in the final minute, Baylor didn’t blink. They strung together stops, hit big-time threes, and suddenly it was a one-possession game. The Bears finished with 11 made threes and dominated second-chance points, 21-9 - a testament to their hustle and grit, especially on the offensive glass.
But Iowa State, as they’ve done all season, found just enough to survive. After Yessoufou’s three made it 72-69, the Cyclones inbounded and ran out the clock, sealing the win and avoiding what would’ve been a stunning collapse.
Cyclones Hold Serve at Home
Iowa State got a balanced effort, led by Milan Momcilovic’s 21 points. Joshua Jefferson added 15, and Tamin Lipsey came close to a double-double with 14 points and nine boards. The Cyclones shot 50 percent from the field and controlled the glass, outrebounding Baylor 37-25 - a key factor in withstanding the Bears’ late surge.
How It Unfolded
Iowa State came out of the gates hot with a quick 6-0 lead, but Baylor didn’t take long to respond. Carr and Yessoufou got into the paint early, and a deep three from Isaac Williams IV - set up by Carr - had the Bears within one at the first media timeout.
Michael Rataj turned defense into offense with a steal and layup to tie things at nine, and Carr started heating up from deep, hitting back-to-back threes to keep Baylor in it. A jumper from Powell gave the Bears their first lead at 21-19, but the Cyclones quickly answered.
Carr and Yessoufou kept the offense humming, with Carr hitting five of his first six shots. On the other end, Baylor tightened up defensively, holding Iowa State to seven straight misses at one point. Still, the Cyclones closed the half strong, hitting back-to-back threes to take a 37-33 lead into the break.
Second Half: A Game of Runs
The second half opened with more back-and-forth action. Agbim threw down a dunk off a steal, and Carr’s fourth triple of the day kept it close. Williams found Agbim for another deep ball, giving the senior double figures for the fifth straight game.
But midway through the half, Iowa State took control with a 7-0 run as Baylor’s offense stalled. The Bears hit just one of eight shots during that stretch, and the Cyclones built a 15-point cushion.
Still, Baylor wasn’t done.
Carr scored five of Baylor’s eight points during a late push, and the Bears clawed their way back into it with a mix of urgency and shot-making. Yessoufou’s clutch three gave them a glimmer of hope, but the clock wasn’t on their side.
What’s Next
Baylor now turns its attention to a marquee matchup at home, hosting No. 16 BYU on Tuesday night at Foster Pavilion.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
If Saturday’s fight in Ames was any indication, this Baylor team still has plenty left in the tank - and they’re not backing down from anyone.