The Baylor Bears are struggling versus Kansas in the first half, seriously missing forward Tristan Clark and starving for a basket.
About 30 minutes before tipoff, David Kaye of Baylor Athletic Communications announced that Clark, who suffered a knee injury against Iowa State on Tuesday, will have surgery and is out for the season.
That was a punch in the gut for Bears fans as news spread quickly.
Almost as bad was Baylor’s 0-for-15 start here at the Ferrell Center.
Forward Mark Vital put back a Makai Mason miss for the Bears first field goal with 9:34 left in the first half. Guard King McClure made a pair of free throws 76 seconds into the contest for a 2-0 lead, but then the Bears went more than 9 minutes without a point.
Kansas took full advantage and grabbed an 18-2 lead before the Bears scored their first field goal.
The Jayhawks also lost their big man inside this week as Udoka Azubuike’s hand injury will require season-ending surgery.
But Kansas has handled Azubuike’s absence well, defeating TCU on Wednesday in Lawrence, Kansas, and controlling this road game thus far.
