Waco, Texas ? Baylor’s guard tandem of Aaron Bruce and Curtis Jerrells made sure Baylor didn’t lose another close game against a tough Big 12 opponent.

Bruce scored a season-high 24 points, and Jerrells added 23 and hit the go-ahead basket to lead Baylor past Texas Tech, 73-70, Saturday.

Baylor (11-5, 1-2 Big 12) had a second-half lead against No. 8 Texas A&M on Tuesday before losing, 61-51. The Bears also dropped a four-point decision last week to No. 9 Oklahoma State.

But Bruce and Jerrells made sure the Bears didn’t let another tight one slip away and prevented Texas Tech coach Bob Knight from winning his 883rd game.

“It was huge because it gives young guys confidence that not only can they win, but they can also win in the close games,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew said. “The more close games you can win, the better it is for a young team.”

Texas Tech (13-5, 2-1) saw its three-game winning streak end and lost for the first time since coach Knight became the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. His win total remains at 882.