Baylor Basketball welcomed back Langston Love after missing the Big 12 quarterfinals, with the junior dropping 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
It was freshman Rob Wright, however, stole the show in Baylor’s 75-72 victory Friday afternoon against Mississippi State at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.
The Wilmington, DE native ended a three-game streak of failing to get into double-digit scoring with dropping 19 against the Bulldogs.
With all the talk about how dominate the SEC has been this season, that statement did not seem to sit well with Baylor.
“Yeah, the Big 12 is definitely the toughest conference in the country,” Wright said after the game. “The SEC had an okay year, a good year, but I think we have the toughest conference.”
Norchad Omier, who made the Final Four in 2023 with Miami, could not even add anything else to that statement. He just replied by saying, “He said it.”
VJ Edgecombe, the 2024-25 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, got off to a slow start by only notching four points at halftime.
“I know people might think, well, he got off to a sluggish start,” coach Scott Drew said after the game. “He just missed some good shots, and at some point he’s going to make them, but he’s always affecting the game because he’s a great teammate and he’s a winner, so he makes winning plays.”
Edgecombe nails another triple 😤#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/Xvxt3dEXoa
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2025
That was not more evident than in the final seconds of the game, when he hit two clutch free throws with 10 seconds to clinch the game for the Bears and survive to play another day.
Surviving was a message that Omier talked to his teammates about heading into this contest, with his experience in 2023.
“I keep it simple today. Before the game start, I told the guys it’s either win or go home,” Omier said. “I know everybody want to win. I know everybody put the work in. I know everybody going to trust their work. So that’s been the message, win and survive.”
Baylor will now turn their attention to the Duke Blue Devils, who defeated Mount St. Mary’s on Friday afternoon. With former Blue Devil Jeremy Roach on the roster, Drew has an opportunity to learn more about Duke.
“I’m sure we’re going to pick his brain,” Drew said. “At the end of the day, though, I know he loves Duke and had a great experience. I know from like when our past assistants that we coach against, it’s bittersweet. You love to talk about them and brag about them, but it really stinks whoever loses because you know the season’s over.”
Even coming off the bench like he has lately, Drew is confident of Roach’s ability to make sure his teammates are ready for the task at hand.
“I think he’ll do a good job in making sure everyone’s ready to go tomorrow like he’s done for every game.,” Drew said on Saturday. “I know this game means a little more to him obviously, but Jeremy is somebody that is capable of having big games. Hopefully, he has one tomorrow.”
With the loss, Mississippi State ends the season with a 21-13 record and now turn their attention to the transfer portal opening up on Monday.