WACO, Texas — Norchad Omier starred for No. 25 Baylor with an impressive performance, registering 19 points and a season-high 24 rebounds during a commanding 107-53 victory over Arlington Baptist on Friday evening.
Omier’s remarkable night included scoring 13 points in the first half, where he electrified the crowd with a two-handed dunk just 17 seconds into the game. His performance was a part of a well-rounded showing by the Bears, who had six players each score in double figures. With just two rebounds short of his personal best, Omier showcased his dominant presence on the court.
Freshman guard Rob Wright contributed 13 points, while teammates Jayden Nunn, Langston Love, and Jalen Celestine, who transferred from Cal, each scored 11 points. Additionally, freshman VJ Edgecombe notched 10 points, and forward Josh Ojianwuna achieved a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, helping secure Baylor’s eighth consecutive home win.
On the other side, Jamar McCray led the Patriots (1-11), a Division II team in the National Christian College Athletic Association, with 12 points from 6-of-8 shooting.
At halftime, Baylor held a comfortable lead of 51-28, with Omier recording 13 points and 11 rebounds by that point.
Noteworthy highlights include Arlington Baptist having endured 10 consecutive road games, with their next opportunity to play at home scheduled against Dallas Christian on January 14. For Baylor, this contest served as their final preparation ahead of Big 12 conference action and marked their third consecutive win after a setback against UConn, the two-time defending national champions, in a closely contested 76-72 game.
A significant moment in the match came when the Bears unleashed a 23-0 scoring run in the opening half, during which Omier added six points while Arlington Baptist struggled with seven turnovers.
In terms of milestones, Omier reached his 2,000th career point with six minutes remaining in the game. The fifth-year forward, who previously played for two seasons at Miami and spent another two at Arkansas State, is now just 68 rebounds away from becoming the 14th player in NCAA history to achieve 2,000 points and 1,500 rebounds. Additionally, his 74 career double-doubles lead all active players.
Looking ahead, Baylor’s first game in the Big 12 is set to take place at home against Utah on Tuesday.
