- Walter produced an incredible performance in his college debut for the Bears
- The 19-year-old even channeled his inner Brunson while flourishing on the court
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Ja’Kobe Walter etched his name into Baylor history on Tuesday night – and he did so while channeling his inner Jalen Brunson.
Walter, 19, set a program record for a freshman with 28 points to help lift No. 20 Baylor to an 88-82 come-from-behind win over Auburn on Tuesday in Sioux Falls, S.D., in the season opener for both teams.
And after making a three-pointer on the night, the freshman sensation even managed to hit Brunson’s signature celebration by wrapping three fingers around his face like the New York Knicks point guard.
Walter scored the most points by a freshman in his Baylor debut, while also grabbing six rebounds and shooting 4-7 on threes.
It was an incredible first game for the Bears guard, with fans on social media already excited to see what the future has in hold for him.
Ja’Kobe Walter pulled off Jalen Brunson’s three-point celebration on his debut for Baylor
Walter, 19, set a program record for a freshman with 28 points to help lift No. 20 Baylor to an 88-82 come-from-behind win over Auburn
RayJ Dennis also added 15 points, Jalen Bridges had 13 and Yves Missi, another freshman, scored 10 points in the win.Â
The Tigers led by nine points at halftime but could not create any real separation in the second half.
Baylor eventually tied the game at 77 on a 3-pointer by Dennis with 3:02 to play. Missi gave the Bears the lead with a dunk on the ensuing possession and went high to block a layup by Denver Jones to allow them to remain in front.
Missi added a pair of free throws with 2:10 left and Dennis made a jumper 44 seconds later to extend the Bears’ lead to six points.
Aden Holloway led the Tigers with 19 points off the bench while Johni Broome scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Jones had 13 points.
Holloway’s 3-pointer at the 15:18 mark of the first half leapfrogged the Tigers to a 9-7 lead, but Baylor bounced back with a 10-2 run capped by Miro Little’s layup with 12:21 to play in the first half.
Auburn rallied to within 22-21 after a free throw by Broome with 8:56 remaining. The Bears’ Josh Ojianwuna pushed the lead to three points via a putback layup on the ensuing possession, but Auburn rattled off five straight points to jump back in front.
scored the most points by a freshman in his Baylor debut, while also grabbing six rebounds and shooting 4-7 on threes
The Tigers’ surge continued throughout the rest of the half, as a 3-pointer by Jones with 23 seconds left produced a 43-34 advantage for Auburn at the break.
Walter led all scorers with 13 points before halftime. Jones paced the Tigers with eight points.
Walter put his game into overdrive in the early minutes of the second half, scoring the Bears’ first eight points before Dennis’ layup at the 17:50 mark brought Baylor to within 45-44.
