No. 18 Baylor 99, Lehigh 77: Cory Sullivan had career highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds and highly-touted freshman Isaiah Austin had a brilliant collegiate debut before getting injured as the host Bears overpowered the Mountain Hawks.
Pierre Jackson also had a double-double with 14 points and 12 assists for Baylor (1-0), which shot a blistering 63.5 percent but had its victory tarnished somewhat when its prized freshman center Austin had to leave the game with a sprained ankle early in the second half.
The 7-foot-1 Austin scored 22 points and paired with the 6-9 Sullivan to dominate inside against Lehigh. Austin had 16 points in the first half and scored six quick points in the second to extend a 10-point halftime lead to 16.
Guard C.J. McCollum was spectacular in defeat, scoring 24 of his 36 points in the opening half to keep Lehigh (0-1) within striking range. Mackey McKnight added 14 points for the Mountain Hawks.
With Sullivan and Austin combining for 34 points on 15-of-18 shooting, the Bears bolted to an early 32-15 advantage en route to a 51-41 edge at halftime.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Austin’s injury occurred less than four minutes into the second half. He wound up 10-of-12 from the floor, including a pair of 3-pointers, in 17 minutes. … McCollum, a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year, entered the NBA draft after last season but opted to return for his senior year. … Jackson had his sixth career game with double-digit assists, double the total of any active player in the Big 12.
