By DJ Ramirez | Sports Writer
The Baylor men’s basketball team picked up its third straight conference win on Monday night with an 85-73 victory over West Virginia in Morgantown.
It was the Bears’ second straight road win after defeating Oklahoma State last week.
Baylor played a highly physical game against a West Virginia team that had the advantage in terms of height. The Bears have had to play smaller since losing sophomore forward Tristan Clark to a knee injury on January 8.
The difference in height did not seem to stop senior guard Makai Mason from dominating against the Mountaineers. Mason posted a game high 29 points to continue his hot streak.
Sophomore forward Mario Kegler also posted a season-high 18 points and was 5-5 from the free throw line.
The Bears led the Mountaineers by 21 points with 15:10 left in the second half, but things turned sloppy as West Virginia mounted pressure against Baylor. After only allowing two turnovers in the first half, the Bears turned over the ball to West Virginia 16 times in the second.
The Mountaineers cut the lead down to eight points with 3:26 remaining in the game, but the Bears continued to find a way as Kegler converted a couple of free throws to extend Baylor’s lead and secure the win.
Baylor will return home to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Ferrell Center.
