UNDATED (AP) The Baylor men’s basketball program was in shambles when Scott Drew took over 18 years ago, ridden with scandal following the murder of a player by a teammate. On Monday, Drew was cutting down the nets after the Bears earned the first NCAA championship in program history. Baylor opened with an 11-1 run and led 29-10 midway through the first half before celebrating an 86-70 pounding of previously-unbeaten Gonzaga. Jared Butler poured in 22 points and had seven assists for the Bears, who shot 10-for-23 from 3-point range and outrebounded the Bulldogs, 38-22. Mark Vital led Baylor’s board dominance by grabbing 11. MaCio Teague Teague chipped in 19 points and Davion Mitchell added 15 while trying to keep Jalen Suggs in check. The Zags were attempting to become the first team since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers to go undefeated in Division I men’s hoops. Instead, they are the first team to end a perfect run in a title game since Larry Bird’s Indiana State team against Magic Johnson and Michigan State in 1979. Suggs had a team-high 22 points for the Bulldogs, but Drew Timme scored just two of his 12 points after halftime. Corey Kispert also had a quiet night with 12 points.
Baylor Dominates Gonzaga
