In a significant NCAA basketball matchup, Michigan State handed the No. 6 ranked Baylor their first loss of the season with a convincing 88-64 victory. Baylor struggled offensively, shooting just 32% in the first half and finishing the game at 48%. RayJ Dennis and Yves Missi led Baylor with 11 points each. Baylor, now with a 9-1 record, looked ahead to their next challenge against No. 21 Duke at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. In the subsequent game, Duke took early control, leading 20-12 at one point, and outrebounding Baylor significantly. Despite this, Baylor managed to keep the game close, trailing just 34-32 at halftime, thanks in part to Yves Missi's performance of 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Baylor's rebounding improved as the game progressed, turning a rebounding deficit into a lead, and even briefly took the lead with a corner 3 by Dantwan Grimes. The game remained competitive with both teams exchanging leads.
Good half btw @DukeMBB and @BaylorMBB. Missi working on a double double in first half.
HALFTIME: #Baylor 32 | Duke 34 Yves Missi has taken over the Big Apple and leads the team with 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds and two blocks. The Bears combated a slow start with a 12-2 run that has the game in striking range.
Halftime: Duke 34, Baylor 32. Bears did a good job of weathering the storm. Yves Missi has 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks for the Bears.
Duke started with a 10-3 rebounding edge, Baylor responds with a 13-4 run and is now winning on the glass, 16-14.
Rebounds in the first 9 minutes: Duke 10, Baylor 3. Rebounds in the last 7 1/2 minutes: Baylor 13, Duke 4.
#Baylor opened the game in a deep rebounding deficit. The Bears now lead that category 16-14 and have six offensive rebounds of their own. Baylor 28 | Duke 28 | 3:32 H1
Baylor briefly took the lead on Dantwan Grimes' corner 3, but then Duke answers with a Roach floater. It's 28-28 with 3:32 left in the half.
#Baylor takes the lead off the back of its stellar freshman. A Yves Missi block and a Ja'Kobe Walter assist have the Bears back in it. Baylor 28 | Duke 26 | 4:19 H1
Missi is quite the problem for Duke right now
It's a Baylor Kill Shot against Duke to take the lead! Their 9th 10-0 run or better of the season and the 4th allowed by Duke. Man they really needed that to get back in the game after being down 10.
9-0 RUN. YVES HAS THE LAST SEVEN. 😤 #SicEm | #CultureofJOY https://t.co/B4jZzbVef9
Yves Missi is gonna be a dude, man. Young big man has taken over the game for Baylor to get back in it with Duke. Also: Does it feel like we've had an absurd number of awesome non-con games already in college basketball?
Seven straight for Yves Missi, nine straight for Baylor.
Baylor on a 9-0 run, cutting the Duke lead to 26-25. It's been fueled by Yves Missi's aggressiveness on the glass. He's also 3-for-3 on FTs.
#Baylor is trying to play fast and "outrace" Duke down the court. It has resulted in back-to-back turnovers. Bears might look to slow down the pace. Baylor 20 | Duke 26 | 6:26 H1
#Baylor G RayJ Dennis is being more aggressive in finding his shot. He has started 2-5 and has 4 points. Baylor 18 | Duke 26 | 7:41 H1
Great start for Duke in an important game. Playing hard on defense. Rebounding well. Sharing the ball on offense. Blue Devils up 20-12 over Baylor and Mitchell has two FTs coming.
Baylor getting dominated on the glass again so far. 10-3 edge for Duke. Gotta fix that.
Duke defense giving Baylor fits
Duke is just quicker to the ball right now. Baylor has had some really good defensive possessions that were extended because it gave up an offensive board. Blue Devils lead 20-12 at the 11:01 mark.
FINAL: Michigan State 88, No. 6 Baylor 64. Bears shot 32% in first half (48% for the game) in suffering first loss of season. RayJ Dennis and Yves Missi scored 11 points each to lead Baylor (9-1), which will try to bounce back Wednesday vs. No. 21 Duke at Madison Square Garden.