By Ben Everett | Sports Editor
No. 9-seeded Baylor men’s basketball fell to No. 1 seed Gonzaga 83-71 on Saturday night in Salt Lake City in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Bears (20-14) could not contain Gonzaga junior forward Brandon Clarke, who finished the day with 36 points, eight rebounds and five blocks against a depleted Baylor front court.
Senior guards King McClure and Makai Mason each played their final game in a Baylor uniform. McClure finished with 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting while Mason notched a team-high 17 points.
With only two big men available (junior forward Freddie Gillespie and freshman center Flo Thamba), the Bears started sophomore forward Mark Vital at center and Clarke made them pay.