Gathers over 1,000 rebounds, Baylor beats Oklahoma St 79-62
WACO, Texas (AP) Al Freeman scored 21 points, Rico Gathers had another double-double while becoming the first Baylor player with 1,000 career rebounds, and the Bears beat Oklahoma State 79-62 on Tuesday night.
Gathers had 17 points and 17 rebounds, giving him 1,005 for his career and making him the eighth Big 12 player to reach 1,000 rebounds. It was the seventh double-double this season for the 6-foot-8 senior, and the 31st of his career.
Freeman had 14 of his points and Gathers 13 before halftime when Baylor (11-3, 1-1 Big 12) led by as many as 18 points.
Oklahoma State (9-5, 1-1) cut the gap to 59-56 midway through the second half after Jeffrey Carroll made a 3-pointer, then had a steal that led to a layup by Chris Olivier.
Terry Maston responded with consecutive baskets to start a 17-0 run for Baylor. That game-clinch spurt included a 3-pointer by Freeman, and a run-ending tip-in by Gathers for a 76-56 lead with just over 3 minutes left.
Carroll led the Cowboys with 15 points, and Jeff Newberry had 10. Freshman point guard Jawun Evans had eight points and nine assists.
Freeman had consecutive 3-pointers in the first half as part of a quick 10-2 run that ended with him assisting on the second of Gathers' consecutive baskets.
Taurean Prince added 14 points for Baylor, while Lester Medford had 11 points and seven assists.
TIP-INS
Oklahoma St.: The Cowboys are playing the first of consecutive Big 12 road games for the only time this season. The only other time the rest of the season they play back-to-back games on the road will be when they play at Auburn and then Texas Tech.
Baylor: The Bears won their 13th consecutive home game. Their last loss in the Ferrell Center had been 74-65 to Oklahoma State last Feb. 9.
UP NEXT
Oklahoma State: at No. 17 West Virginia.
Baylor: at No. 13 Iowa State on Saturday night.
