KU eliminated from Big 12 title contention with loss to Baylor

WACO, Texas (KSNT) - A 40-minute duel in Waco on Saturday finished the same way so many Big 12 basketball games have finished this season: The home team came out on top.

KU lost to Baylor, 82-74, falling to 9-7 in conference play and in road games. The loss knocks KU out of the Big 12 regular season title race, as the Jayhawks are already three games behind league-leading Houston entering the day.

KU has won 17 regular season conference titles since Bill Self took over in 2003, but won't be adding another one to the trophy case this year. Seven conference losses is the most in the Bill Self era, and most by any KU team since 1988-89.

The loss came despite Kevin McCullar's return to the court. The senior wing put 20 points together with nine rebounds in his first appearance since Feb. 17.

The Baylor lead was as large as seven in the first half, but KU trailed by just one at halftime. The Bears controlled most of the second half, at one time pulling ahead by 13. Kansas struggled to get to the free throw line in the loss, shooting just eight from the strike.

It's a rare two-game losing streak for KU after losing to BYU earlier in the week.

The 'Hawks will look to bounce back with a home game on Tuesday against K-State.