Wildcats Complete Second-Half Comeback to Defeat Baptist Bible, 91-86 in Season Debut

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Trailing by eight at halftime, Baker men's basketball used a big second half to take down Baptist Bible, 91-86 on Friday night in Springfield in BU's first game of the 2023-24 season.

Winning their third straight season opener, the Wildcats begin the year 1-0 after earning their most wins since at least 2004 last season with a 22-9 record.

Baker shot nearly 50 percent (30-for-62) from the field and outrebounded the Patriots by a 55-39 margin, while BBC was able to force 29 BU turnovers.

Quentin Harvey and Noah Rigatuso led the Wildcats in scoring with 19 points apiece from the frontcourt duo. Ty Henry and Dylan Smith each reached double digits as well with both of them adding 10 points. Harvey, Henry and Rigatuso all came a rebound shy of a double-double with the three of them pulling down nine boards apiece.

After trading buckets through the game's first four minutes, a three by junior guard Korey Jones gave the Wildcats a 12-9 lead and Rigatuso kept it at a three-point advantage with a stick back to make it 20-17.

The Patriots responded with seven unanswered points to go in front by four and added a three a little later to put the hosts in front, 27-22. The Wildcats would swing the game back in their favor with Henry connecting on a triple and a basket by Harvey putting them back on top, 32-31.

BBC used another 7-0 stretch to build a bit of a cushion late in the first half before catching fire from deep with all five of its final buckets of the half coming from behind the three-point arc. Rigatuso made it a two-point game with just over a minute left but the Patriots hit back-to-back threes, including one at the buzzer to take a 53-45 lead into the break.

In the second half, Harvey scored the first four points for BU and Henry matched a BBC three with one of his own to pull the Wildcats within four.

Trailing by double digits for the first time, Baker snapped a cold stretch in the game with seven unanswered points after Brock Burling knocked in a pair of baskets and junior sharpshooter Braden Griffiths swished a triple to make it 62-59 in favor of BBC.

Griffiths buried two more from three-point range with his third and final three of the game giving the Wildcats their first lead since the 6:23 mark in the first half at 72-70.

After the Patriots reclaimed the lead, a pair of Rigatuso free throws tied the game at 82-82 with just over two minutes left. The two sides would exchange leads down the stretch with the final Patriots three-pointer of the game putting them in front, 85-84.

Rigatuso came through with a crucial three-point play, converting on the bucket and the free throw to put Baker back on top, 87-85 with 35 seconds remaining. The Patriots got within one, but the Wildcats would seal it from the line to earn a 91-86 season-opening victory.

Continuing with the non-conference slate, the Wildcats make their Collins Center debut with a matchup against nearby foe Ottawa on Wednesday, Nov. 1 with tipoff set for 7 p.m. in Baldwin City.

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