Baylor players Adam Flagler # 10, Matthew Mayer # 24 and Jackson Moffatt # 13 celebrate after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the National Championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Jamie Schwaberow / NCAA photos via Getty Images Hide caption
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Jamie Schwaberow / NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Baylor players Adam Flagler # 10, Matthew Mayer # 24 and Jackson Moffatt # 13 celebrate after defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the National Championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Jamie Schwaberow / NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The Baylor Bears are celebrating their first championship season, beating the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Gonzaga only had to win one game to end on a perfect season, but it ends with a 31-1 record. An undefeated team has not lost the title game since 1979.
Baylor, who last appeared in a national championship game 73 years ago, kept Gonzaga at a season low.
“Our boys, when the best is needed, the best is provided,” said Baylor coach Scott Drew after the game. “The better the opponent, the better they play.”
Baylor relied on his guards to achieve victory. Jared Butler scored 22 points with 7 assists, Davion Mitchell had 15 points and 5 assists, while MaCio Teague had 19 points.
Gonzaga’s manager Mark Few said after the game: “It’s really, really difficult to end a storybook season but listen, Baylor just beat us. They beat us in every facet of the game and they deserve all credit.”
Victory is a sweet revenge for Baylor. Two years ago, Gonzaga eliminated the bears in the second round. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, there was no championship game last year.
