FORT HOOD, Texas – Hardin-Simmons' men's basketball team hung tough with nationally ranked Baylor for the first half before the Bears flexed their inside muscle in the second half in a 104-59 loss on Wednesday at Abram Gym on the Fort Hood Army Base.

"This was a chance for our guys and Baylor's guys to give the people a Fort Hood a couple hours of entertainment and relaxation," said HSU head coach Craig Carse. "What they do every day is so much more important than a basketball game and hopefully they got some time to clear their heads and relax. We are so appreciative of the opportunity."  

Duane Hopper hit a 3-pointer on the first Cowboy possession to give HSU a 3-2 lead. It was the only lead of the game.

Baylor pushed the lead out to as many as nine and led 31-22 when Cameron Barnes and Hopper made back-to-back 3-pointers to close HSU's deficit to 31-28 with 4:29 to play in the first half. Baylor closed the half on a 17-4 run to take a 48-32 lead at halftime.

The closest the Cowboys would come in the second half was 13 when Christian O'Neal and Ryan Leiss hit back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 51-38 with 19:03 to play. Baylor responded with a 29-8 run that sealed the Cowboys' fate.  

Baylor used its superior size to gain an advantage around the rim. The Bears outscored HSU 74-16 in the paint and outrebounded the Cowboys 57-27.

Cameron Barnes led the Cowboys with 11 points and Christian O'Neal added 10. Johnathan Motley had 23 points to pace Baylor and Rico Gathers added 20. Baylor had 40 assists on 45 made baskets in the game.

The game counted as a game for the Bears and they improved to 8-1 on the year. It counted as an exhibition for the Cowboys. HSU is off until New Year's Eve when it plays at LeTourneau.