Jayhawks Thump Bears

It was a packed house in Waco as the Baylor Bears (12-5, 2-2) hosted ESPN's Big Monday and the #2 Kansas Jayhawks (18-0, 3-0). The room was buzzing at tip-off and grew even louder as Perry Jones got the Bears off to a 2-0 lead. However, that lead wouldn't last for long.

With 17:19 remaining in the first half, Perry Jones hit two free throws to give Baylor a 6-5 lead. That was the last lead Baylor would have for the rest of the night. Tyrel Reed countered with a 3-point basket (one of their 7 on the night). Kansas shot over 80% in the first half, building up a 53-32 halftime lead.

The Jayhawks came out with the strategy that they were not going to let LaceDarius Dunn beat them. All night long Dunn was guarded closely, being double-teamed through much of the game. He was limited to just 13 points and 3/9 from the floor. Dunn and point guard AJ Walton combined for 12 of Baylor's 18 turnovers, forcing bad passes through much of the game.

Kansas was able to find holes in Baylor's zone all night long, early on hitting the open three and later in the game attacking around the basket. Kansas outrebounded the Bears 24-17 in the game.

The Bears had a chance to make it interesting in the second half, at one point cutting the lead down to 12. Bill Self then called a time out, quieting both the crowd and the Baylor offense.

The Bears will be back in action this Saturday against Oklahoma State at 3:00 in Waco.