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Jalen Bridges credits Baylor teammates, support for strong showing vs. Colgate

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•03/22/24•

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Jalen Bridges
(Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports)

Baylor senior Jalen Bridges put on a show in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The West Virginia native had a game-high 23 points to lead the Bears to a 92-67 victory over Colgate.

After the victory, Bridges spoke with TruTV about the win and credited his coaches and teammates for helping him.

“It’s really just my coaches, you know. They create amazing sets that give us amazing opportunities,” Jalen Bridges said. “And then it helps having a point guard like Ray J [Dennis], guards like Ja’Kobe [Walter], guards like Jayden Nunn that can just spread the ball all over the court and make my life, honestly, really easy.”

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Bridges got plenty of help against the Raiders on Friday. Dennis finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists. Meanwhile Walter had 19 points and 4 boards. Dunn pitched in with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

As a team, Baylor shot nearly 58 percent from the field and better than 53 percent from 3-point range. On the other hand, Colgate was 45.6 percent from the field but only 27.8 percent from 3-point range. 

Bridges was thankful to perform so well in front of family and friends, who made the trip from different parts of the country to come to Memphis.

Bridges’ father Cory traveled from Fairmont, West Virginia to Memphis, while his girlfriend came over from back at Waco.

“I mean, I’m just blessed, man. That’s an 11-hour drive [for my dad]. My girlfriend drove seven from Waco,” Bridges said. “So it was a lot of driving, so I’m happy that I could perform the way I did with my teammates out here tonight.”

Up next, Baylor will face the winner of New Mexico and Clemson on Sunday in the Round of 32. The winner of that game will advance to the Sweet 16.

Bridges believes Baylor is primed to go on a deep run.

“I think we can go as far as we want to,” Bridges said. “I think we’ve got everything we need in this locker room and we’re not really worried about anybody else. We’re just focusing on us and taking it one game at a time.”

With Friday’s win, Baylor improves to 24-10 on the season. Colgate’s season comes to an end with a 25-10 record.