DALLAS – In a thrilling clash at the American Airlines Center, No. 8 Baylor held off a determined comeback by No. 16 Arkansas, claiming a 72-67 victory in the 4PT Dallas Duel. This showdown between former Southwest Conference rivals delivered on its promise, with both teams exchanging fierce plays and critical moments throughout the game.

After a tough loss to Gonzaga earlier in the week, Baylor bounced back by showcasing what Coach Scott Drew described as “Baylor basketball.” Freshman guard VJ Edgecombe was instrumental down the stretch, nearly recording a double-double with 11 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Edgecombe’s composure was evident in the final minute, where he grabbed a key offensive rebound and sank two clutch free throws with 14.9 seconds left, helping Baylor secure the win.

Norchad Omier, who took home the 4PT Dallas Duel MVP honors, was a force inside, recording his 69th career double-double and his first with Baylor. The Miami transfer tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds, providing a steady presence in the paint and anchoring Baylor’s defense. Senior guard Jayden Nunn led Baylor’s scoring with 16 points, including four three-pointers, while Jeremy Roach and freshman Rob Wright added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Baylor’s balanced scoring proved crucial, with five players reaching double figures.

Arkansas, coached by John Calipari in his debut season, kept fighting until the final buzzer. Adou Thiero led the Razorbacks with a game-high 24 points and six rebounds, while freshman guard Boogie Fland added 17 points and seven assists. Despite their relentless effort, Arkansas struggled with three-point shooting, going just 2-for-12 from beyond the arc in the first half and was unable to overcome Baylor’s lead.

Baylor led by as many as 11 points in the first half, heading into halftime up 42-33 after a late three-pointer by Roach. Arkansas started the second half on an 11-2 run, tying the game at 44-44. Baylor, however, responded with back-to-back threes and maintained control for the remainder of the game. The Razorbacks managed to close within three points multiple times in the final minutes, but Edgecombe’s final free throws sealed Baylor’s victory.

This hard-fought win in the 4PT Dallas Duel highlighted Baylor’s resilience and showcased the impact of their new additions, including Omier and Edgecombe. As both teams continue to develop, this intense battle served as an exciting glimpse into each squad’s potential this season.