Arizona State Holds Off Baylor in Big 12 Tournament Opener

The Sun Devils secure a hard-fought win against the Bears in the first game of the conference tournament.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 7:05pm

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The Arizona State Sun Devils (17-15) secured a hard-fought 73-68 win against the Baylor Bears (16-16) on Tuesday morning in the opening game of the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. The Sun Devils, seeking a last-ditch effort to reach the NCAA tournament, jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first half before holding off a late Baylor surge in the second half.

Why it matters

The win keeps Arizona State's slim NCAA tournament hopes alive, while Baylor will have to regroup after falling short in the tournament opener. Both teams were seen as having potential to make a deep run in the Big 12 tournament, making this an important early-round matchup.

The details

Arizona State built a 44-35 halftime lead, with several players contributing to the scoring. Baylor made a late push to cut the deficit to 5 points, but the Sun Devils were able to hold on for the victory. Key contributions came from Arizona State's Andrija Grbovic, Santiago Trouet, and Anthony "Pig" Johnson, who all scored in double figures.

  • The game tipped off on Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Baylor defeated Arizona State 73-68 in their previous matchup on February 21, 2026 in Waco, Texas.

The players

Arizona State Sun Devils

The Arizona State men's basketball team, seeking to make a last-ditch effort to reach the NCAA tournament.

Baylor Bears

The Baylor men's basketball team, also looking to make a run in the Big 12 tournament.

Bobby Hurley

The head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Andrija Grbovic

An Arizona State player who scored in double figures in the win.

Santiago Trouet

An Arizona State player who scored in double figures in the win.

Anthony "Pig" Johnson

An Arizona State player who scored in double figures in the win.

Moe Odum

The Arizona State point guard.

Tounde Yessoufou

A Baylor freshman who helped lead the Bears' late comeback effort.

Isaac Williams IV

A Baylor player who fouled out late in the game.

Noah Meeusen

An Arizona State player who made a key basket late in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Arizona State wants to be there so, so much more than Baylor does.”

— Ryan Burke

“The Sun Devils have allowed the Bears to get within five points of the lead. Baylor is on an 8-2 run and has converted six of its last six field goal attempts.”

— Ethan Ignatovsky

“Arizona State up 52-40 on Baylor in KC. Sun Devils beating Baylor to the ball, lead the rebounding battle, 21-18.”

— Brice Cherry

What’s next

The winner of the Arizona State-Baylor game will face Iowa State in the next round of the Big 12 tournament.

The takeaway

This hard-fought win keeps Arizona State's NCAA tournament hopes alive, as the Sun Devils continue to battle and show their determination to reach the big dance. Meanwhile, Baylor will need to regroup and refocus after falling short in the tournament opener.