Baylor men outlast South Carolina 69-65

Senior forward Royce O’Neale surveys the floor during Baylor’s 74-61 win over the Iowa State Cyclones on March 4.  Lariat File Photo
Senior forward Royce O’Neale surveys the floor during Baylor’s 74-61 win over the Iowa State Cyclones on March 4.
Lariat File Photo

By Shehan Jeyarajah
Sports Editor

Baylor basketball pulled off a tight 69-65 win over South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.

Freshman forward Johnathan Motley shined in the second start of his career, finishing with 17 points and five rebounds on only nine shot attempts.

Senior point guard Kenny Chery added 20 points in the win, including 16 points in the second half. He hit four straight jumpers for 10 points over the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Senior forward Royce O’Neale paced the team with a balanced effort: nine points, seven rebounds and seven of Baylor’s nine assists.

The Bears held South Carolina to only 40.7 percent shooting from the field and 23.8 percent from the three-point line in the win.

South Carolina guard Tyrone Johnson went off for 21 points in the loss on 9-of-16 from the field and 3-for-9 from the three-point line.

The two teams combined for only 20 assists on 43 made baskets.

The men get back in action at 6 p.m. on Friday against Prairie View A&M at the Ferrell Center.