WACO, Texas (AP) — Robert Wright III scored 20 of his 24 points after halftime, and Baylor rallied from a 21-point deficit late in the first half for an 81-70 victory over No. 11 Kansas on Saturday.

The collapse by the Jayhawks (15-6, 6-4 Big 12), who led 40-21 at halftime, came a week after sixth-ranked Houston pulled off improbable rallies in the final seconds of regulation and the first overtime in a double-OT win at Allen Fieldhouse.

It was the biggest blown lead in a loss in the storied program’s history, surpassing the 20-point lead (44-24) Kansas squandered in a 91-74 loss at home to top-ranked Arizona on Jan. 27, 2003.

Wright put the Bears (14-7, 6-4) ahead 47-46 on two free throws with 13:02 remaining after they trailed 38-17 late in the first half.

Baylor took the lead for good on a tiebreaking 3-pointer from Jalen Celestine with four minutes to go, and after Kansas had rebuilt its lead to 10.

Baylor erases 21-point deficit against No. 11 Kansas, cruises late in 81-70 win | iNFOnews.ca — Baylor forward Norchad Omier, left, is fouled by Kansas center Hunter Dickinson, right, as he attempts to shoot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb.1, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)

Hunter Dickinson scored 20 points for Kansas, and Dajuan Harris Jr. had 12.

Norchad Omier had 18 points and 16 rebounds for Baylor, and VJ Edgecombe scored 14 before leaving with an injury early in the second half.

Takeaways

Kansas was taken out of its offensive rhythm by Baylor’s full-court pressure to start the second half. The Jayhawks shot 36% in the second half.

Baylor finished the rally without Edgecombe, who entered third in the Big 12 in scoring in league games. He went down early in the second half after missing a driving layup and limped to the locker room.