In one of the most anticipated NCAA championship matches, Baylor Bears defeated Gonzaga 86-70 to win their first title. The Bears had put Bulldogs under immense pressure, leading their star player Jalen Suggs, to get involved in a foul play.
The Bears’ tough defense comprised of the golden trio, Jared Butler, Mario Teague, and Davison Mitchell who not only caught the Bulldogs off guard but also were the mastermind of what is said to be an impeccable victory for the Bears.
This game between the Bears and Bulldogs started at a fast pace with Baylor opting for an all-out attack and fired shots from all angles. The team successfully converted the first five three-pointers to edge ahead of Gonzaga. They managed to secure a 19-point lead at the halfway mark in the first quarter.
The win wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of Davion Mitchell, who played brilliantly throughout the game.
The loss to the Bears would have come as a surprise to the Bulldogs who had won 31 consecutive games. A surprise or a shock, the Bulldogs aren’t going to get past this defeat so soon. However, it must be acknowledged that the Bears showed a lot of grit and dedication in the game that couldn’t be matched by the opposing team. Whether it was Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchousa hitting a mighty hoop, or Flo Thamba hitting a lay-up in the first half, the Bears just had all the bases covered.
On the other hand, Gonzaga also put in all they had to win the match, but it just wasn’t enough. Suggs did give the team an edge with 22 points, but that lead couldn’t last long as his play was not strong enough. Moreover, Drew Timme also contributed a significant 12 points for the team.
This fact was acknowledged by Mark Few, Gonzaga’s coach who not only accepted his team’s defeat but also humbly appreciated Baylor’s extraordinary performance in all aspects of the game.
With this win against Gonzaga, Baylor has finally managed to win its first national title, and they deserve all the credit for that.
