Jayden Nunn scores 16, Norchad Omier has a double-double as No. 8 Baylor beats No. 16 Arkansas 72-67

On By Pranco

DALLAS (AP) — Jayden Nunn had 16 points while Norchad Omier had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds as eighth-ranked Baylor bounced back from a season-opening loss to hold on for a 72-67 victory over No. 16 Arkansas on Saturday evening.

The Bears (1-1) never trailed five nights after their 101-63 loss to sixth-ranked Gonzaga. There were three ties in their second match, and Nunn hit a go-ahead basket each time. His 3-pointer with 15:46 left kept them ahead.

Arkansas (1-1) pulled within 70-67 when freshman Boogie Fland, who finished with 17 points and seven assists, hit a long 3-pointer with 24 seconds left. Baylor then managed to break the press and freshman VJ Edgecombe made two free throws.

Adou Thiero, one of four transfers who arrived with new Razorbacks coach John Calipari from Kentucky, had 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting in the game against former Southwest Conference rivals at the home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks .

Jeremy Roach added 13 points for Baylor, while Edgecombe had 11 and Robert Wright 10.

Takeaways

Arkansas: This game was a major step forward in the league for the Razorbacks, who played six transfers and three freshmen. They had started with a win over Lipscomb.

Baylor: The Bears are the only team to face Top 25 teams in each of the first two games.

Key moment

After Thiero scored the first six points after halftime, starting an 11-2 Razorbacks run to tie the score at 44, Nunn hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key off an assist from Edgecombe. Arkansas then missed a shot that Edgecombe rebounded and followed with a 3 of its own.

Key stat

Baylor led 38:07 into the game, although Arkansas had the biggest run.

Next

Baylor hosts Sam Houston on Tuesday night, and Arkansas hosts Troy on Wednesday to open a four-straight series at home.

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