NICEVILLE, FLA. — Guard King McClure collected a career-high 27 points and a career-high 14 rebounds for his first double-double helping lead Baylor to a 72-61 victory against George Mason in the third-place game of the Emerald Coast Classic Saturday.
It marked the 300th coaching victory at Baylor for Scott Drew , who is in his 16th season at the school.
“It meant a water bath, “ beamed Drew, whose team moved to 4-2. “I actually had forgot and didn’t know why they (players) were drenching me. I was like, we didn’t win it. But we have a great group of guys. I’m thankful it was water instead of Gatorade.”
Drew is the 17th active coach with 300 wins at his current school.
The Bears overcame foul problems with starting forward Mark Vital playing only 16 minutes. Forward Tristan Clark, who scored a career-high 27 points in Friday’s semifinal round win against Ole Miss, fouled out.
McClure, the lone senior on the Baylor team, also tied a career high with five three-point baskets — all coming in the second half. He collected four assists and three steals.
“Coach Drew always talks about whenever your number is called, be ready it anybody’s night,” said McClure. “Yesterday, it was Tristan’s night and tonight it was mine. They also challenged me yesterday to rebound me. Coach Drew kind of didn’t believe I could rebound, that’s what I heard. So, I went out there and wanted to prove it and show I’m tough. I think I just tried my hardest to prove it to him.”
Despite making just two baskets in the last six minutes of the game, Baylor secured the victory by scoring 11 of its last 13 points at the free throw line.
Guard Makai Mason, a grad transfer from Yale, scored 18 points for Baylor, sinking all eight free throw attempts.
“I thought George Mason really competed and neither team could make shots. At the end of the day, King (McClure) really gave us a great spurt and we were able to build a lead. It was great to finally see a couple of shots finally go down, “ Drew added.
Senior guard Otis Livingston paced George Mason with a season-high 26 points, including 15 in the second half. Forward Jarred Reuter collected 15 points with 11 at the free throw line.
Both teams struggled from the floor shooting season lows. George Mason hit 36.7 percent (18-49), while Baylor wasn’t much better firing at a 38.9 percent clip.
Baylor outrebounded George Mason, 34-27, outscoring the Patriots, 9-2 in second-chance points.
