Published November 20, 2014
Texas Tech coach Billy Gillispie at least hoped that senior night might be so emotional for No. 9 Baylor that his Red Raiders would be able to take advantage.
Not a chance.
After being recognized before the Bears' home finale Monday night as the winningest senior class in school history, Quincy Acy, Fred Ellis and Anthony Jones easily got their 95th victory, 77-48 over the Red Raiders.
"You don't get a win just because it's senior night. But they played, and they made it a special night because of their play," Gillispie said. "Those guys have had great careers here. They've won a lot of games. My hat's off to them, and hopefully they'll do very well in the postseason."
Perry Jones III, the sophomore who is not related to Anthony, had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Bears (25-5, 12-5 Big 12). A.J. Walton scored a season-high 13 points, while Anthony Jones also had 13 and Acy 12.
Even the little-used Ellis, who hadn't scored a point since Dec. 19, made two free throws.
Walton matched his season-high with 10 points before halftime, when the Bears were already in total control.
Baylor closed the first half on a 25-4 run over the final 10:05, stretching its lead to 40-15.
Texas Tech (8-21, 1-16) didn't even have 20 points in the game until Jordan Tolbert's dunk with 14:33 left made it 49-21. Tolbert finished with 19 points.
"Tough night for us, obviously," Gillispie said. "Especially thought we competed hard at the start, but we couldn't make any plays. Couldn't finish at the basket, couldn't get to the foul line, couldn't make open shots. And then they got a great deal of confidence, and it just kind of steamrolled against us."
Baylor never trailed after taking an 8-0 lead, though that was more than 5 minutes into the game. All three seniors started their final home game.
While the three Baylor seniors have played their last home game, they already have a school-record 12 Big 12 victories with the regular-season finale still to play Saturday at Iowa State. After that, there is the conference tournament next week and then another NCAA tournament.
During their freshman season, the Bears made it to the Big 12 tournament championship game and were the NIT runner-up in 2008. A year later, they were part of the school-record 28 wins as Baylor advanced to an NCAA regional final against eventual national champion Duke.
"My feelings were mixed," Acy said. "It was emotional playing my last game in the Ferrell Center. But we have a long way to go in the season."
Anthony Jones then added, "It makes me want five more to get to 100. ... Why stop at five?"
Acy had two big dunks just before coming out of the game to a huge ovation with about 2 minutes left. Right after that, Jones hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key.
Walton had a step-back jumper, the shot falling through the hoop about the same time he was backpedaling and falling with about 3 minutes left in the first half. After a Texas Tech turnover, he added a jumper that gave him 10 points and the Bears a 35-13 lead.
Pierre Jackson then had consecutive assists for inside-out baskets by Anthony Jones.
Jackson penetrated inside and was in the air when he slipped a pass to Jones for a layup. On the next possession, Jackson passed to Jones in the left corner for a 3-pointer that made it 40-13.
The second half didn't start any better for the Red Raiders. Javarez Willis had a quick turnover and Brady Heslip hit a 3-pointer from the left corner in front of his teammates on the Baylor bench.
"Great senior night," coach Scott Drew said. "I couldn't be more proud of how our seniors were able to play their last game and go out."
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/texas-tech-loses-77-48-at-no-9-baylor