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No. 6 Baylor clicks on both ends in comfortable win over No. 3 Creighton

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The Creighton Bluejays were one of the best offensive teams in the country this season, leading the nation in efficiency and three-point percentage, and among the nation’s best in many other major statistical categories. And with senior forward Doug McDermott leading the way, this had the looks of a season that could produce a lengthy stay in the NCAA tournament.

Unfortunately for Creighton that would not turn out to be the case, as they ran into a very difficult matchup in the form of the Baylor Bears. Baylor used it’s morphing zone defense to thoroughly frustrate Creighton, and the end result was an 85-55 beating that was more shocking due to the margin than the result.

Baylor limited McDermott to 15 points on 7-for-14 shooting, communicating to each other where the national Player of the Year candidate was at all times. And they also kept tabs on Creighton’s other shooters, resulting in a 5-for-24 night for the Bluejays from three and 40% shooting from the field. Creighton couldn’t get going offensively against Baylor’s length, and the combination of that and Baylor’s record-setting shooting on the other end resulted in a game that was never in doubt.

Scott Drew’s team made its first five three-pointers and finished the game 11-for-18 from distance, tying a school tournament record (Kenny Chery and Brady Heslip were responsible for nine) and their ball movement was key. All five starters finished in double figures with Isaiah Austin’s 17 leading the way, shooting 63.8% from the field as a team and 19 of their 30 made field goals were assisted. Communication and teamwork were once again key for Baylor, something that’s been the case during their impressive turnaround over the last six weeks.

Baylor’s now won 12 of its last 14 games and they’ll be making their third Sweet 16 appearance under Scott Drew, and the fact of the matter is that the Bears’ turnaround is something few outside of that locker room thought possible. But Baylor continued to work and believe in each other, resulting in a trip to Anaheim to play No. 2 Wisconsin next week.

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