WACO, Texas (AP) Al Freeman scored 20 points and No. 20 Baylor overcame a slow start to defeat Jackson State 77-60 Friday night.
Freeman, a sophomore guard, hit 4 of 7 3-point shots, a successful follow-up to his 22-point performance during a loss at No. 25 Oregon on Monday.
Jackson State made its first six shots, including a pair of 3-pointers, and was ahead 12-2. The Tigers then missed 19 of 22 the rest of the half, going scoreless for more than 10 minutes as Baylor (2-1) used a 13-0 run for a 29-24 lead at the break.
Taurean Prince scored 13 for Baylor (2-1), reaching double figures for the 20th time in his last 21 games. Rico Gathers had 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Paris Collins led Jackson State (1-2) with 17 points. Janarius Middleton added 12.
The Bears committed 11 turnovers in the first half, primarily with careless passes, and began pulling away in the final 20 minutes.
During a span of 1:31, Gathers made a tip-in and then two free throws, King McClure added a 3-point basket and the Bears had a 13-point lead.
TIP-INS
Jackson State: Guard Javeres Brent, a key for the Tigers earlier in the week, didn't take a shot during their long scoreless drought. Brent hit 8 of 11, including 6 of 8 3-pointers, during a win at Southern Mississippi on Tuesday. ... Guard Lindsey Hunter IV is the son of former NBA guard Lindsey Hunter, who also played at Jackson State. He didn't play.
Baylor: Gathers moved him into third place on the Bears' career list. Barring injury, the senior is on track to supplant all-time leader Brian Skinner. Gathers trails Skinner by 41 rebounds. . The Bears improved to 48-0 against current members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, including 7-0 vs. Jackson State. ... Baylor has won 26 straight nonconference home games since losing to Northwestern on Dec. 4, 2012.
NEXT UP
Jackson State is at Arkansas State on Sunday afternoon.
Baylor hosts Savannah State on Monday night.
