WACO, Texas (Interstat) — The Baylor Bears showcased their depth and overwhelming offensive firepower Wednesday afternoon, turning a competitive first half into a decisive 97-67 victory over the Norfolk State Spartans at the Ferrell Center.

In a game that was statistically dominated by the home team from start to finish, Baylor used a 17-2 run bridging the halves to pull away for good, improving to 7-2 on the season. Norfolk State, which hung tough for the opening 15 minutes, fell to 4-7.

The contest’s most critical sequence began late in the first half with Baylor leading 41-33. Over the final 3:37 before halftime, the Bears outscored the Spartans 6-1, capped by a Isaac Williams three-pointer at the buzzer off an assist from Obi Agbim to take a 47-31 lead into the break. The momentum carried over immediately after intermission, as Baylor scored the first five points of the second half, part of a larger 11-1 run that expanded the lead to 58-34 and effectively ended the game as a contest.

Baylor’s victory was built on a foundation of superior efficiency and interior dominance. The Bears shot 52.9 percent from the field, compared to Norfolk State’s 38.3 percent, and owned a commanding 54-32 advantage in points in the paint. Baylor also capitalized on second chances, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points, while Norfolk State managed only five offensive boards.

The Bears’ offensive rating of 127.7 on 76 possessions starkly contrasted with the Spartans’ rating of 85.5, underlining the gap in execution. Defensively, Baylor’s length and athleticism were disruptive, registering 10 blocks and seven steals, which fueled a 23-16 edge in fast-break points.

Agbim, a guard from Aurora, Colorado, orchestrated the Baylor attack with a game-high 18 points and five assists in 32 minutes. His backcourt mate, Cameron Carr of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, was a force on both ends, contributing 19 points and four blocks. The Bears’ frontcourt provided a balanced and potent scoring punch, with four players reaching double figures: Tounde Yessoufou (17 points), Caden Powell (16), Michael Rataj (11) and Dan Skillings Jr. (11). Williams facilitated effectively with a game-high seven assists.

Norfolk State was led by the backcourt duo of Anthony McComb and Elijah Jamison, who each scored 19 points. McComb, from Dayton, Ohio, played a team-high 36 minutes, while Jamison added five rebounds. Jordan Leaks provided a spark off the bench with 10 points.

The Spartans stayed within striking distance early, trailing just 26-22 after a Jordan Leaks layup with 8:54 remaining in the first half. However, Baylor responded with a 12-2 spurt over the next four minutes, highlighted by a three-pointer from Yessoufou and an alley-oop dunk from Carr, to establish a double-digit lead they would not relinquish.

Baylor’s win was its sixth in seven games, while Norfolk State dropped its third straight contest against a high-major opponent this season. The Bears now look ahead to a Friday matchup against Alcorn State, while the Spartans travel to a neutral-site event in College Park, Georgia, to face Grambling on Dec. 18.

An announced crowd of 4,584 at the Ferrell Center saw Baylor cover the pregame spread as a 26.5-point favorite. The total points of 164 sailed over the over/under line of 147.5.