Brett Decker and Kayden Mingo each score 17, lead Baylor over Northwestern State 87-65

WACO, Texas — Brett Decker Jr. and Kayden Mingo each scored 17 points to lead Baylor to an 87-65 victory over Northwestern State on Monday night in the season opener for both teams.

Decker shot 5 of 9 from beyond the arc and 6 of 11 overall. Mingo, a Penn State transfer, was 6-of-11 shooting and matched a team-high with seven rebounds. Mingo's brother, freshman guard Dylan Mingo, chipped in with 14 points.

Baylor center Juslin Bodo Bodo played 15 minutes and grabbed three rebounds and blocked two shots in his return after missing last season with an arm injury. The 6-foot-11 transfer from High Point was a two-time Big South Defensive Player of the Year.

Kai Simpson scored 17 points to lead Northwestern State. Nathan Ojukwu added 13 points and Isaiah Vick had 12.

Baylor built a double-digit lead within the first four minutes of the game and led 50-32 at the break. Decker led with 11 first-half points as the Bears shot 60% (18 of 30) from the floor. Northwestern State pulled within 15 points midway through the second half but didn't get closer.

Coach Scott Drew began his 24th year at Baylor. It was his 482nd win with the Bears and his 502nd overall. The Bears finished 17-17 last season, and 6-12 in the Big 12 Conference.

Up next

Northwestern State: At Mississippi State on Thursday.

Baylor: Hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday.