Baylor Opens Season With 87-65 Win Over Northwestern State
Baylor beat Northwestern State 87-65 in Waco on November 2, led by 17 points each from Brett Decker Jr. and Kayden Mingo.
Baylor opened its 2026-27 season with an 87-65 home win over Northwestern State on November 2, taking control early and carrying a 50-32 advantage into halftime. The Bears shot 60% from the field in the first half. Northwestern State cut the deficit to 15 midway through the second half, but got no closer.
Decker scored 17 points, making five of his nine three-point attempts. Mingo, a transfer from Penn State, also had 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds. His younger brother Dylan, a freshman, added 14 points. Freshman Elijah Williams contributed 11 points, while Isaac Williams IV had eight on 3-of-12 shooting.
Kai Simpson led Northwestern State with 17 points. Nathan Ojukwu scored 13, and Isaiah Vick added 12. Baylor center Juslin Bodo Bodo, back after an arm problem kept him out last season, played 15 minutes and had three rebounds and two blocked shots.
The win was Scott Drew’s 482nd at Baylor and 502nd overall as he began his 24th season leading the Bears. Baylor finished 17-17 last season, including a 6-12 record in the Big 12. Northwestern State is scheduled to play at Mississippi State on November 5; Baylor will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff on November 6.