No. 18 Baylor 99, Lehigh 77: Cory Sullivan had career highs of 26 points and 13 rebounds and highly-touted freshman Isaiah Austin had a brilliant collegiate debut before getting injured as the host Bears overpowered the Mountain Hawks.
Pierre Jackson also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 assists for Baylor (1-0), which shot a blistering 63.5 percent but had its victory tarnished somewhat when its prized freshman center Austin had to leave the game with a sprained ankle early in the second half.
The 7-foot-1 Austin scored 22 points and paired with the 6-9 Sullivan to dominate inside against Lehigh. Austin had 16 points in the first half and scored six quick points in the second to extend a 10-point halftime lead to 16.
Guard C.J. McCollum was spectacular in defeat, scoring 24 of his 36 points in the opening half to keep Lehigh (0-1) within striking range. Mackey McKnight added 14 points for the Mountain Hawks.
With Sullivan and Austin combining for 34 points on 15-of-18 shooting, the Bears bolted to an early 32-15 advantage en route to a 51-41 edge at halftime.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Austin's injury occurred less than four minutes into the second half. He wound up 10-of-12 from the floor, including a pair of 3-pointers, in 17 minutes. ... McCollum, a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year, entered the NBA draft after last season but opted to return for his senior year. ... Jackson had his sixth career game with double-digit assists, double the total of any active player in the Big 12.
Lehigh | Baylor | |
C.J. McCollum 36 | Scoring | Cory Jefferson 26 |
Mackey McKnight 6 | Assists | Pierre Jackson 12 |
C.J. McCollum 8 | Rebounds | Cory Jefferson 13 |
C.J. McCollum 6 | Free Throws Made | Pierre Jackson 7 |
C.J. McCollum 3 | Steals | Pierre Jackson 2 |
Conroy Baltimore 1 | Blocks | Isaiah Austin 2 |