National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Baylor 87, Norfolk State 70
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, November 11, 2022
Where: Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas
Officials: # Chance Moore, # Gary Maxwell, # Keith Kimble
Attendance: 9728

Keyonte George drained six 3-pointers and had 23 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals to lead No. 5 Baylor to an 87-70 victory over Norfolk State in nonconference play on Friday night at Waco, Texas.

Jalen Bridges added 20 points and Adam Flagler tallied 18 for Baylor (2-0). Flagler made four 3-pointers as the Bears were 15 of 38 from long distance.

Joe Bryant Jr. had 24 points and six rebounds for Norfolk State (2-1). Christian Ings added 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting and Kris Bankston scored 10 points.

The contest was a rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament first-round game, which Baylor won 85-49.

The Bears shot 49.1 percent from the field, and had a 34-29 rebounding edge. Baylor racked up 12 steals, four by LJ Cryer.

Norfolk State made 50 percent of its shots and was 6 of 17 from behind the arc. The Spartans committed 19 turnovers to the Bears' 15.

Baylor led by eight at the break before opening the second half with an 11-2 run. Bridges connected on a 3-pointer to end the burst and give the Bears a 53-36 advantage with 16:39 remaining.

Flagler hit a jumper and Langston Love buried a 3-pointer to give Baylor a 64-46 lead with 11:16 left.

The Spartans crept within 69-57 on Bankston's dunk with 7:05 remaining.

Baylor later ran off eight straight points to put the game away. Bridges converted a three-point play and George scored the next five to make it 83-62 with 3:06 left, and the Bears cruised to the finish.

George made four 3-pointers and scored 15 points in the first half as the Bears led 42-34 at the break.

Baylor held a 30-15 lead after Cryer split two free throws with 9:08 left before Norfolk State made a strong push.

The Spartans scored 16 of the next 22 points and moved within 36-31 on Bryant's basket with 2:15 remaining.

However, Flagler sank two treys in a 39-second span to help the Bears get the lead up to eight.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Norfolk State   Baylor
Joe Bryant Jr. 24 Scoring Keyonte George 23
Christian Ings 4 Assists Keyonte George 7
Joe Bryant Jr. 6 Rebounds Josh Ojianwuna 7
Cahiem Brown 4 Free Throws Made Jalen Bridges 8
Kris Bankston 2 Steals LJ Cryer 4
N/A Blocks Flo Thamba 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Norfolk State 70 50.0 6-17 16-21 13 26 0 8 19
Baylor 87 49.1 15-38 16-25 20 27 3 12 15