Baylor downs Louisiana-Lafayette 87-68 in Maui Invitational

68LOUISIANA(2-2) NR/NR

1ST 2ND F 22 46 68 33 54 87 Box Score | Quotes | Notes | Photo Gallery Waco, Texas • Attendance: 5,290

87BAYLOR(3-0) 23/25

Team: Louisiana-Lafayette
Date/Time: 11-17/4:00 pm
Where: Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas
Coach: Bob Marlin
Number of returning starters: 4
Key losses: Alan-Michael Thompson (Europe)
Key returnees: Elfrid Payton, Shawn Long

Bob Marlin enters his 4th year as head coach of the Ragin' Cajuns, returning 4 starters from a team that went 8-12 in Sun Belt Conference play and 13-20 overall. They lose arguably their most athletic player in Alan-Michael Thompson, yet return the bulk of their scoring with both Elfrid Payton and Shawn Long averaging nearly 16 points each.

Marlin might be a familiar face to a select few of you as he coached Sam Houston State from 1998 until 2010, making an impressive two NCAA tournament appearances with the Bearkats including a 25-8 record and first place in the Southland conference in 2010 before making the jump to Louisiana-Lafayette. Easily their most valuable asset, I don't think any amount of coaching skill should be able to overcome our Baylor Bears with Marlin's current roster.

UPDATE: Baylor won tonight 87-68 with a strong offensive second half. The box score is linked above. Kenny Chery, Brady Heslip, and Cory Jefferson paced the Bears offensively with 20, 19, and 16 points, respectively. Isaiah Austin added 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 blocks.