Baylor Survives Mississippi State in Nail-Biting NCAA Tournament Opener

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — No. 9 Baylor held on for a thrilling 75-72 victory against No. 8 Mississippi State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2025, at the Lenovo Center. The game showcased standout performances from both teams as they fought for a chance to advance.

Baylor, now with a 20-14 record, was led by Robert Wright, who scored 19 points, while V.J. Edgecombe added 16 points and Langston Love contributed 15 points. Norchad Omier also played a pivotal role, finishing with 12 points and nine rebounds.

Edgecombe’s performance stood out, particularly in the second half, where he scored 12 of his 16 points, including two key free throws with less than 10 seconds remaining. “V.J. doesn’t have to score to impact a game,” said Baylor coach Scott Drew. “He is an all-around player.”

Despite a strong push from Mississippi State, led by Josh Hubbard‘s 26 points, Baylor maintained their composure, holding on for the win after leading by as much as 11 points in the second half.

The Bulldogs (21-13) were looking for their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2008 and fought hard to narrow the gap late in the game. With just 29 seconds left, KeShawn Murphy scored a crucial basket to cut Baylor’s lead to one point.

Edgecombe was fouled and stepped to the free-throw line calmly making both shots to bring Baylor’s lead to three. However, Mississippi State had a last chance to tie the game after a missed three-pointer from Claudell Harris Jr. with just over a second left. Omier was fouled on the inbounds play, but after additional time was added to the clock, he failed to convert his free throw.

Baylor had to fend off a last-ditch effort from Mississippi State, but Hubbard’s three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short as the final horn sounded.

“Playing in the Big 12, you just have a lot of close games,” said Omier. “We know that in March, a lot of stuff happens. V.J. hit both free throws, and we call it a game.”

This victory marks Scott Drew’s 21st NCAA Tournament win as head coach of Baylor. They now look ahead to face Duke, the top seed in the East Region, in the second round on Sunday.

Mississippi State coach Chris Jans noted the significance of the game for his program, which has made the NCAA Tournament three seasons in a row for the first time in 20 years. “It’s a step forward for us,” Jans said, reflecting on the season.