WACO, Texas (AP) - Jevon Carter and Esa Ahmad both scored 15 points as No. 21 West Virginia beat Baylor 71-60 on Tuesday night, ending the Bears' five-game winning streak that had been the longest in the Big 12 Conference.
The Mountaineers (20-8, 9-6 Big 12) were pretty much in control throughout the game, and led by as many as 28 points early in the second half.
Baylor (17-11, 7-8) managed to get within 55-43 with after Terry Maston's jumper. But that was the last of eight straight points for the Bears that capped off a 21-5 run.
Their momentum was gone when Daxter Miles made a 3-pointer while being fouled and converted the free throw for a four-point play with just under 7 minutes left. That was Miles' only made 3-pointer in six shots from long range.
Sagaba Konate had 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks for West Virginia. James Bolden and Miles both scored 10 points.
The Bears had defeated Top 10 teams Kansas and Texas Tech in their previous two home games. But their only lead against West Virginia came when Jo Lual-Acuil made Baylor's first shot. He finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Manu Lecomte added 12 points on 3-of-12 shooting for Baylor.
BIG PICTURE
West Virginia: The Mountaineer defense smothered Baylor in the backcourt and frontcourt. Their press made it difficult for the Bears to simply get the ball in bounds, and they intimidated Baylor shooters by blocking 13 shots and altering several others.
Baylor made its first shot, then went 1 for its next 15 in falling behind early. The Bears, who trailed 40-18 at halftime, didn't attempt or make enough 3-pointers (3 for 9) to keep the West Virginia big men from clogging the paint, and it was too late by the time they solved their turnover problems.
UP NEXT
West Virginia plays its next two games at home, Saturday night against Iowa State and then the home finale next Monday night against No. 6 Texas Tech. The Mountaineers have already lost to both of those teams on the road.
Baylor heads about 100 miles north to play Saturday at TCU, which beat the Bears 81-78 in overtime in Waco on Jan. 2.
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