Wildcats Hold Off Haskell in 72-71 Nail-Biter for First Win of 2025-26

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Behind a huge night from Myles Tucker, Baker men's basketball earned its first win of the 2025-26 season, edging past Haskell 72-71 Saturday afternoon in the final game of the Ernie Stevens Jr. Classic in Lawrence, Kan.

The Wildcats never led by more than seven but made just enough plays down the stretch, weathering a late Haskell surge and a game-tying look in the final seconds to secure the narrow victory. Tucker fueled the breakthrough effort with 35 points on 12-of-14 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 from three, the most efficient scoring performance by a Wildcat so far this season.

As a team, Baker shot a season-high 50 percent (27-of-54) from the floor and 47.4 percent (9-of-19) from three, both significant jumps from their season marks entering the day - 42.6 percent and 31.4 percent.

Tucker's 35 led all scorers, adding five rebounds, two assists and a block for back-to-back terrific outings from the senior transfer. Cam Jones posted 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Eli Obaseki hauled in 10 rebounds to pace the Wildcats on the glass. Xavier McCord contributed five points and three boards off the bench and Shane Threadgill knocked down a first-half three to keep Baker within striking distance.

Baker set the tone early behind four first-half triples from Tucker, racing to a 16-9 lead at the 14:18 mark. Haskell answered with a spurt to pull in front 24-21 before Threadgill drained a triple to knot it. The Wildcats closed the opening half strong, taking a 38-33 edge into the break after Jones beat the horn with a deep three.

Haskell surged in the second half, using a 9-0 run - fueled by back-to-back threes - to build a 45-41 lead just a few minutes into the half. The hosts extended their advantage to 59-51 with 8:11 to play, but Baker countered with timely stops, sparked by an Obaseki layup and a McCord putback to slice the margin to two.

With five minutes left, Tucker took over. He scored six straight points to reclaim a 63-61 lead, then delivered another jumper to make it 65-64. His free throws with 1:30 remaining pushed Baker ahead 70-68 before he iced the game with a tough bucket near the rim with 50 seconds left to make it 72-68. Haskell trimmed the lead to one on a three but couldn't convert on the decisive possession as the Wildcats held on for the non-conference win.

Baker returns to action Wednesday, Nov. 13, when it travels to McPherson for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff against the Bulldogs in its final non-conference matchup before Heart of America play gets started on Saturday (Nov. 15) at home against Mount Mercy.

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