ISU took an eight-point lead in the second half, but Baylor made six-straight 3-pointers in six possessions to take control of the game. Taurean Prince was one of five Bears in double figure scoring, leading the way with 20 points. He was 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
The Cyclones were led by Jameel McKay, who posted a career-high 21 points. Matt Thomas added 13 points from off the bench.
Baylor led at the half 40-37. The first half was back and forth until the Bears went on a 5-0 run to take a 38-33 lead with 1:35 remaining. Both teams shot in the mid-40s from the field and had five turnovers each, but the difference in the opening period was 3-point shooting. Baylor 7-of-13 from downtown, while the Cyclones made just 3-of-12.
The beginning of the second half was just like the first. In the first seven minutes there were five ties and five lead changes. A Bryce Dejean-Jones tip dunk and a Georges Niang floater in the lane gave the Cyclones a 52-48 advantage with 12:29 left in the contest.
ISU increased its lead to five points, but the Bears bounced back to cut it to a point (55-54) after an Austin Mills trey. However, Matt Thomas answered with a 3-pointer on ISU’s next possession and McKay had two dunks on lobs to push ISU back up 62-54 with 8:22 remaining.
Baylor then came storming back. Three-pointers on six-straight possessions gave the Bears a 72-66 lead with 4:25 left in the game. Prince made three treys and Kenny Chery made a pair in the flurry.
The Bears never looked back the rest of the way.
McKay posted a career-high 21 points, making 6-of-9 from the field. Five of his six field goals were on dunks, mainly from lobs. McKay also grabbed eight rebounds and had four blocks.
Iowa State travels to Kansas State on Saturday (Feb. 28). Tipoff is at 3 p.m. on ESPN2.
