SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Ja'Kobe Walker scored 15 of his 28 points in the second half to help No. 20 Baylor rally to an 88-82 win over Auburn on Tuesday night at the Sanford Pentagon.
Baylor used a 22-10 run over the final 8 minutes of the game to overcome an eight-point deficit.
Trailing 72-66 with, the Bears started their spurt on Langston Love's 3-pointer. With just under three minutes to play, Baylor’s Yves Missi stole an Auburn inbounds pass and drove the length of the floor for a dunk that gave the Bears a 79-77 lead, their first since 24-23 midway through the first.
Denver Jones hit a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left to cut Auburn's deficit to three, but Baylor went 3-for-4 from the line down the stretch to seal the win.
Over the final three minutes, Baylor’s RayJ Dennis scored seven of his 15 points including a 3-pointer to tie the game at 77-77.
Auburn Freshman Aden Holloway scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half to lead the Tigers.
Johni Broome, a First Team All-SEC selection for Auburn also had a big second half, scoring nine of his 16 points after the break. Broome injured his shoulder in Auburn’s exhibition opener against AU Montgomery but played 25 minutes, adding 11 rebounds.
BIG PICTURE
Auburn: It’s the start of a tough schedule for Auburn, which was the only SEC team to open against a ranked opponent.
Baylor: The Bears are now 19-2 in season openers under Scott Drew. Auburn is one of six Baylor opponents who have made the Final Four since 2019.
UP NEXT:
Auburn is home Friday against Southeastern Louisiana before two at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the Legends Classic next Thursday.
Baylor begins a three-game home stand beginning Thursday when they host John Brown. The Bears host Gardner-Webb on Sunday and Kansas City on Tuesday.
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