Jackson's late trey huge for Bears

Pierre Jackson hit a 3-pointer with 17 seconds remaining to put No. 6 Baylor on top and added two free throws to give the Bears a 63-60 victory over Texas A&M on Wednesday night. The Bears (20-2, 7-2 Big 12) were up by four points with 5 minutes left before A&M used a 9-3 run capped by a short jump shot by David Loubeau to take a 60-58 lead with 29 seconds remaining. Jackson's second 3 of the game put the Bears on top before A&M's Elston Turner missed a 3-pointer forcing the Aggies (12-9, 3-6) to foul. Jackson missed his first free throw attempt, but was fouled again after the rebound and made the insurance shots. Loubeau had 16 points for Texas A&M, which was without two starters. The win gives Baylor its first 7-2 conference start since 1968-69 and its fourth 20-win season in the last five. Baylor has won five straight over the Aggies in this rivalry which has been played every year since 1930-31 but is in jeopardy with Texas A&M leaving for the Southeastern Conference. The Bears got 15 points from Perry Jones III and Jackson finished with 14 points and five assists. Quincy Acy added 11 points and Quincy Miller had 11 rebounds and nine points. The Bears were down by five before scoring nine consecutive points to take a 53-49 lead with 6 minutes remaining. Acy had two dunks in that span to quiet the crowd a bit. The Bears led by nine points early in the second half before A&M used a 14-3 run to take a 44-42 lead with about 12 minutes remaining. Daniel Alexander started the spurt with a 3-pointer and A&M had two steals which ended with easy layups to keep it going. Anthony Jones had a tip-in for Baylor to tie it before A&M scored five straight points, led by a dunk by Loubeau, to take a 49-44 lead with about 10 minutes left. Things got testy in this one with Loubeau and Acy having to be separated by teammates and officials after two other players tussled on the court for a loose ball midway through the second half. Alexander finished with 12 points and six rebounds for A&M and Ray Turner had 13 points. The Bears were able to limit Elston Turner, who had scored at least 23 points in three straight games, to eight points. The Aggies were without second-leading scorer Khris Middleton (right knee) for the third straight game and point guard Dash Harris (right foot) for the second. Coach Billy Kennedy said Monday that he hoped Harris could play, but when he appeared on crutches during warmups it became apparent that he would sit out again. Baylor used a 16-5 run to take a 31-23 lead about 3 minutes before halftime. The Bears led 36-25 at halftime.