FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Adam Flagler scored 28 points, with 16 in a row for 14th-ranked Baylor during the stretch when the Bears overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half and then held on to beat No. 17 TCU 72-68 on Saturday.
LJ Cryer had 23 points for the Bears (19-6, 8-4 Big 12), who on Jan. 4 at home against TCU blew a 17-point lead in an 88-87 loss. They have won nine of their last 10 games.
TCU (17-8, 6-6) had a chance to tie or take the lead after a turnover by Flagler with 8.1 seconds left, when surrounded by Damion Baugh and Shahada Wells in front of the Horned Frogs bench. Officials initially gave the ball to Baylor, but reversed that call after an extended review and discussion.
Baugh, who finished with 16 points and 10 assists, then missed a jumper with three seconds left. Flagler then hit two free throws after being fouled in the aftermath of the missed shot.
Jakobe Coles had 15 points and Emanuel Miller 10 for the Horned Frogs, who played their fourth game in a row without top scorer Mike Miles Jr. and were also without injured big man Eddie Lampkin Jr. They have lost four of five.
Flagler's three free throws with 2:42 left, after being fouled when trying another 3-pointer, Baylor back ahead to stay at 64-62. He then had a layup that ended his personal scoring streak.
Cryer made two free throws with 19 seconds left after being fouled under the TCU basket when Chuck O'Bannon reached around him
The Bears used a 9-0 run to get within 56-55 with 5:14 left. when Flagler hit a 3-pointer — on their third shot in a quick spurt. Baylor had consecutive misses and Miller had the defensive rebound before it got knocked loose by Jalen Bridges, who had just missed.
After TCU pushed the ball quickly up court for a layup by Coles, Flagler hit back-to-back 3s to put Baylor up 61-58 with 3:57 left. Flagler finished with five 3s.
TCU regained the lead at 62-61 on a slam by Coles with 2:58 left, before Flagler's three free throws.
BIG PICTURE
Baylor: Another tough road win for the Bears, who are 26-9 against Top 25 teams the past four seasons — 16 of those wins coming on the road. They are 25-7 in Big 12 road games over the same span.
TCU: The Horned Frogs put together quite an effort without emotional leader Lampkin and Miles, the Big 12′s second-leading scorer at 18.1 points a game. Miles could be close to returning for the first time since a hyperextension of his right knee in the opening minutes at Mississippi State two weeks ago. Lampkin has missed four of the last six games while dealing with a left high ankle sprain.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Baylor, which has been unranked only once since the start of the 2019-20 season, could move up a spot or two and closer to being back in the top 10. The Frogs will certainly slide down when the new AP poll comes out Monday, and could fall all of the way out of the Top 25 after a school-record streak of 10 consecutive polls ranked.
UP NEXT
Baylor goes for a regular-season sweep of West Virginia at home Monday night.
TCU plays Wednesday night at No. 11 Iowa State, which won 69-67 in Fort Worth on Jan. 7.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
