Go Bears!
GO Bears!
Go Bears!
Newcomer Black Leads Bears To Opening Win
Baylor tops Eastern Washington, 68-61

Nov. 20, 1999

WACO, Texas - Terry Black scored 25 points on a 10-for-12 shooting night to lead Baylor to a 68-61 win over Eastern Washington in the season opener for both teams.

Black, a junior college transfer, logged 38 minutes and led both both teams with 14 rebounds.

"Terry played well all night," first-year Baylor coach Dave Bliss said. "He played with his back to the basket in junior college. Tonight he played with his head above the basket."

Eastern Washington led for much of the first half, going ahead 21-14 on Aaron Olson's jumper. Tevis Stukes cut the lead to one when he made a pair of free throws for the Bears at the 8:43 mark of the first half and DeMarcus Minor put Baylor ahead to stay at 29-27 with a three-pointer.

Eastern Washington cut the lead to one when Kareem Hunter, who led the Eagles with 13 points, connected on a pair of free throws. But Stukes, who finished the night with 17 points, made a jumper to put the Bears ahead 36-33 at halftime.

The Eagles cut the lead to one twice in the second half, but Black's dunk with 4:16 remaining put Baylor up 57-52 with 4:16 remaining. Jamie Kendrick then hit a big trey to put Baylor up by 10 at 64-54 with 2:12 to play.

The Bears led in rebounding, 48-30 and three Baylor players, Black, Ben Echols and Kendrick finished in double figures. In addition to Black's 14, Echols recorded 12 and Kendrick 11.

"I don't know if I've ever been part of a team that had three players in double figures in rebounding," Bliss said.

"Obviously, rebounding was the difference in the game," Eastern Washington coach Steve Aggers said. "You simply don't have a chance to win when you're out-rebounded by 18."

"In the seven or so months since we've taken this job a lot has transpired," Bliss said. "It's gone quickly. I'm enthused about our effort. We needed a win. They gave me a Christmas present early, not for Dave Bliss but for Baylor University."