RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Robert Wright scored 19 points, V.J. Edgecombe added 16 and No. 9 Baylor squeaked past No. 8 Mississippi State 75-72 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Langston Love added 15 points and Norchad Omier had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Bears (20-14), who led by 11 points in the second half but had to hold off the Bulldogs in the final seconds — and even tenths of seconds.
Josh Hubbard had 26 points to lead the Bulldogs (21-13), who were seeking their first March Madness victory since 2008.
Wright’s driving, underhanded, left-handed layup gave Baylor a 37-32 lead at halftime, its biggest to that point. A free throw by Omier made it 60-49 with 8:10 remaining.
Baylor forward Norchad Omier (15) drives toward the basket past Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Mississippi State guard Dellquan Warren and guard Claudell Harris Jr., left, vie for a loose ball with Baylor forward Norchad Omier during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Baylor guard Jalen Celestine (32) is fouled by Mississippi State forward RJ Melendez, left, during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) shoots a three-point shot in front of Baylor guard Jalen Celestine (32) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans watches during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Baylor, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Baylor guard Jalen Celestine (32) and Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) battle for control of the ball during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe blocks a pass by Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) drives toward the basket past Baylor forward Norchad Omier (15) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) celebrates with guard Claudell Harris Jr. (0) after making a three-point shot during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Baylor, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Baylor guard Langston Love drives to the basket past Mississippi State guard Claudell Harris Jr. during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
But the Bulldogs stormed back and cut the lead to one with 29 seconds left when KeShawn Murphy scored in the lane on a baby hook.
The Bulldogs fouled Edgecombe with 9.3 seconds left and the Big 12 freshman of the year made both.
Claudell Harris Jr airballed a 3-pointer with a chance to tie the game with 1.1 seconds left. Omier was fouled on the inbounds play and the game was seemingly over. But more time was put on the clock and Omier missed the front end of a 1-and-1. The Bulldogs grabbed the rebound with 0.2 seconds left and called timeout.
Hubbard’s 3-pointer at the buzzer was no good, although it may not have counted.
Baylor: Coach Scott Drew’s Bears entered the tournament having lost six of their last 10 games, but survived this time. It was Drew’s 21st NCAA Tournament victory.
Mississippi State: This is the third time in as many seasons that coach Chris Jans led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament. Before his arrival, the program had reached March Madness just once since 2010.
Up next
Baylor advanced to Sunday’s second round to face the Mount St. Mary’s-Duke winner.
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