Baylor Basketball snaps its losing streak in Fort Worth as they handle the Horned Frogs, 67-49.
The landscape of the Big 12 and the leaders near the top has made a drastic change over the past two seasons. From Texas Tech’s unexpected rise to Baylor becoming a national contender. Baylor has beaten each team on the road, headlined by a 12-point win in Lawrence last season.
However, the kryptonite for the Bears was a 90-minute road trip to Fort Worth. In the past three seasons, TCU has won each time they have played against Baylor in their friendly confines. All three times, the Horned Frogs were the underdogs.
Similar to the last two games, Baylor got off to a slow start, missing their first five shots. Through the first five minutes, the Bears would get out to an early 7-3 lead. The Bears struggled from the field would continue, shooting just 27 percent from the field through the first eight minutes of the season.
A back and forth first half as there would be four lead changes and three ties through the first 11 minutes. Jared Butler was the lone bright spot with his eight points on four makes. The rest of the team combined for just two shots made. The Bears cold streak would continue, shooting just 1-10 from beyond the arc.
The Baylor defense has been terrific, forcing 10 TCU turnovers and holding TCU from getting the game out of hand. Baylor forced multiple shot clock violations. An 8-0 run would put the Bears up four. The effort from TCU would not let Baylor pull away.
The Horned Frogs outrebounded the Bears and was a big part of their success early. Baylor had just 11 rebounds through the first 20 minutes. A 60-foot three-point shot would hand Baylor their first deficit. It would be TCU’s first basket in seven minutes and have them ahead 28-27.
Mike Miles 3/4 court shot to give TCU the lead at half!! pic.twitter.com/HWhXMTveAS
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) January 9, 2021
Baylor would start the second half on a 10-2. That was capped off by a three-pointer from Butler. It was Baylor’s first three-pointer since 7-3, early in the first half. Baylor would extend their lead as much as eight, just four minutes into the second half.
Davion Mitchell would start to attack the rim more often, converting multiple and 1’s. Part of Baylor driving to the basket causes more fouls from TCU. Baylor would be in the double bonus halfway into the second half.
TCU would not go away with back to back three-pointers from RJ Nembhard. Baylor would get two huge possessions with a Butler three and a MaCio Teague dunk in transition. The lead would hit double figures for the first time in the game.
In his best game of the year, Butler would continue to pile up the points, getting the Bears up to a lead as big as 12. Baylor would dominate down the stretch and finished, 67-49.
In quite possibly, his best game as a bear, Butler shined and dominated near the rim. He finished with 28 points on 11-17 shooting from the field. He also finished with eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals.