In a thrilling showdown at Foster Pavilion, Baylor men's basketball pulled off a much-needed comeback victory, edging out Arizona State 73-68. This win marked Baylor's first comeback triumph since they rallied against No. 11 Kansas last year.
Trailing by eight at halftime, the Bears (14-13, 4-10 Big 12) tightened up defensively, limiting Arizona State (14-12, 5-9 Big 12) to just 28 second-half points. The Sun Devils' 68 points were their lowest in a road game this season.
Obi Agbim was the hero of the second half, sinking three crucial three-pointers in the final minutes and scoring 13 of his 16 points after the break. Four Bears hit double figures, with Tounde Yessoufou matching Agbim's 16 points and tying a freshman program record for field goals in a season with 182.
Isaac Williams IV set the pace early, scoring 12 of his 14 points in the first half and dishing out five assists. Cameron Carr added 13 points, while Caden Powell led the rebounding effort with seven boards and chipped in eight points, earning a plus-15 in the box score.
Game Recap:
The action kicked off with Arizona State on the board first, but Baylor quickly responded. Williams and Yessoufou combined for early buckets, with a Yessoufou steal leading to a Powell dunk, giving Baylor an early edge.
Williams continued his offensive contributions, and Agbim's first three-pointer kept the momentum going. Carr electrified the crowd with his 35th dunk of the season, but the teams remained neck and neck, trading the lead seven times in a brief span.
Arizona State created some separation with an 8-0 run, but Dan Skillings Jr. hit a timely three to keep Baylor within striking distance, though they trailed 40-32 at halftime.
Carr ignited the second-half comeback with a three-pointer, and a dazzling dunk tied the game at 44. Yessoufou's second triple put Baylor back on top, but the lead continued to seesaw as both teams exchanged blows.
Agbim's hot hand from beyond the arc finally gave Baylor a slim lead. With the game tied at 61, Carr's layup and another Agbim three-pointer provided a five-point cushion.
In the closing moments, Agbim's clutch shooting and pivotal offensive rebound helped secure the Bears' 73-68 victory.
Looking Ahead:
Next up, Baylor faces a formidable challenge as they host No. 4 Arizona on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m.
CT. With only two home games left this season, the Bears will be looking to build on this momentum.