FORT WORTH, Texas — In its first NCAA Tournament game since winning the national championship in 2021, the Baylor Bears opened their title defense with a 85-49 win over Norfolk State.
Matthew Mayer led the way for the Bears with a career high 22 points on 9-13 shooting.
Baylor opened the first half by hitting four of its first six shots, including three triples to jump out to an early 11-5 lead in the first five minutes of the game.
From there, the Bears would pull away. Mayer scored eight consecutive points as part of a 19-7 Baylor run.
The Bears entered halftime with a 43-27 lead.
In the second half, Baylor hit five of its first seven shots from the field to maintain a 20-point lead.
With the win, Baylor advances to the Round of 32 for the third straight tournament. They will play the winner of North Carolina-Marquette Saturday in Fort Worth.
