By Lynn DeBruin
Associated Press Sports Writer
PROVO, Utah — Perry Jones III scored a career-high 28 points, Brady Heslip hit six 3-pointers and No. 6 Baylor edged Brigham Young 86-83 on Saturday.
Brandon Davies had a chance to force overtime but his 3-point attempt at the buzzer was blocked by 5-foot-10 Pierre Jackson.
The Bears are off to the third 9-0 start in school history and best under coach Scott Drew. The Cougars absorbed their second nonconference loss in their last 50 home games.
BYU led by as many as 13 points in the first half thanks to 9-0 and 10-0 runs. And the Cougars fought back from a 79-70 second-half deficit behind the play of freshman guard Matt Carlino, who scored 18 in his debut for the Cougars (8-3).
Jones limped off the court with 1:26 remaining after knocking knees during a scramble for a loose ball. But he returned and tipped in an offensive rebound to make it 86-83.
Davies had 18 points, 13 rebounds, a block and a steal for the Cougars.
Carlino, who became eligible Saturday after transferring last year from UCLA, made 7 of 14 shots, including 4 for 8 from 3-point range. He also committed four turnovers, including a costly one down the stretch.
Charles Abouo added 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting for BYU, and Noah Hartsock scored 15.
Heslip finished with 18 points. Jackson added 13 points and seven assists for the Bears.
BYU held a 14-0 edge in rebounds the first 8½ minutes and outscored the Bears 16-8 in the paint in the first half. The Cougars also took advantage of second-chance opportunities.
Baylor kept it close in the first half with its 3-point shooting, and timely plays by Jackson, whose three-point play helped get the Bears within four at halftime. The Bears made 13 of 25 from long range for the game.
Baylor was outrebounded 44-31 but came up with a few key boards down the stretch.
West Coast Conference Commissioner Jamie Janinovich was in attendance to see the Cougars, the league’s newest member. And Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor was in the arena to check out several Baylor players, including sophomore Jones and freshman Quincy Miller, who were on the preseason Naismith Trophy watch list.
Jones entered the game averaging 15.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. Miller was averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks a game.
Saturday marked the debut of Baylor sophomore guard Gary Franklin, who transferred in January after playing 13 games with California. He hit two 3-pointers and finished with six points.
