Dec. 30, 2006

Box Score | Quotes | Notes

WACO, Texas (AP) - Aaron Bruce scored 18 points for Baylor, which beat Delaware State 59-56 on Saturday night.

Kevin Rogers added 10 points for the Bears (9-3).

Trailing 57-56 with 22 seconds left to play, Delaware State's Aaron Fleetwood, who had made only three of his 10 free throws this season, missed an opportunity to tie the game when his free throw bounced off the rim, and Rogers rebounded.

Baylor brought the ball in the forecourt and worked 16 seconds off the clock before Jahsha Bluntt fouled Bruce, who made two free throws with 6.1 seconds remaining.

Bluntt, who made five of 13 3-pointers, fired a 3-point attempt in the closing seconds but it bounced off the rim as time expired. Bluntt and Roy Bright led all scorers with 20 points each for Delaware State (3-9).

Rogers' short jumper put Baylor in front 57-53 with 1:45 left to play. But Bluntt's fourth 3-pointer of the second half cut the margin to 57-56 at the 1:23 mark.

Bruce was a perfect six for six from the field, including four for four from the 3-point arc. He was also a perfect two for two from the line.

Baylor's 9-3 record marks its best start since the 2002-03 squad began 9-3.