No. 20 Baylor holds off VCU 71-63 in Battle 4 Atlantis

Published Nov. 23, 2016 10:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) Al Freeman scored 15 points and came up with three baskets during a critical second-half sequence to help No. 20 Baylor beat VCU 71-63 on Wednesday in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Jonathan Motley scored a team-high 19 points before fouling out for the Bears (4-0). In addition, Manu Lecomte shook off a rough shooting game to finish with 16 points, including a hanging layup while being knocked to the ground for a three-point play to go with several key free throws in the final minute.

JeQuan Lewis had 21 points for the Rams (3-1), who went without a basket for roughly 6 1/2 minutes during the second half.

VCU used a late-half burst to lead 36-28 at the break and shot 58 percent in the opening half, but it cooled in the second half as the Bears' defense tightened.

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