WACO, Texas - Johnathan Motley had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead five double-digit scorers, and No. 4 Baylor finished its perfect run through nonconference play with a 89-63 victory over Texas Southern on Wednesday night.
The Bears (12-0) shot 59 percent from the field, including 8 for 14 from 3-point range.
Kevin Scott was 7 for 8 for 15 points to lead the Tigers (4-9), who have dropped eight straight. Their last win was a 67-56 decision against James Madison on Nov. 21.
Jo Lual-Acuil had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Baylor, while Manu Lecomte added 14 points and a team-best seven assists. Terry Maston and Al Freeman put in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Baylor used an 18-1 run in the first half to take control at 25-7, and Texas Southern never got back within single digits.
BIG PICTURE
Texas Southern: The Tigers have four players averaging double figures for the season in Demontrae Jefferson, Zach Lofton, Derrick Griffin and Dulani Robinson. Only Jefferson managed double figures with 10 points, but he was held scoreless in the first half and was 4 for 18 from the field.
Baylor: The Bears have played a soft schedule since a 76-61 win over then-No. 7 Xavier on Dec. 3, but they haven't let that affect their focus. Their 21 assists and balanced scoring showed their willingness to share the ball, and their length on defense frustrated Texas Southern shooters on the perimeter to a 5-for-20 effort from beyond the arc.
UP NEXT
Texas Southern has 10 days off before beginning SWAC play with three games in five days. The first of those comes Jan. 2 at Alcorn State.
Baylor will open Big 12 action with its first true road game of the season, Dec. 30 against Oklahoma. The Bears played three games away from home in November, when they won the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas.
