Baylor won by 3 points in a game that went down to the wire.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Baylor took down Mississippi State 75-72 in a thrilling round one game of the NCAA tournament Friday afternoon.
The game started as a back and forth battle until the Bears would be able to jump out to a 37-32 lead at the half.
Baylor took their first lead of the game in the first four minutes of the contest all thanks to a big three shot by junior guard, Langston Love, who returned after getting injured in the Big12 tournament.
Defensively, Baylor was all over the court forcing Mississippi State to turn the ball of 8 times.
In the final five minutes Mississippi State would make it a five point game. The five point lead would hold until Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard hit a big three pointer in the final 1:43 of the game to make the score 69-67.
A foul on Jalen Celestine would send the Bulldogs to the free throw line to shoot two making it one point lead for Baylor in the final 1:19.
Edgecombe would come to the free throw line to shoot two for the Bears with a one point lead. He drained both shots to give Baylor a three point lead in the final 9 seconds.
Mississippi State tried to get a shot in but their attempt fell short giving Baylor the win.
Baylor will now take on the winner of Duke vs Mount St. Mary’s in round two of the NCAA tournament. Tip off time is to be determined.