**Tennessee Topples Baylor in Baha Mar Showdown**

The Tennessee Volunteers delivered a decisive blow to the Baylor Bears on Friday night, securing a 77-62 victory at the Baha Mar Championship in the Bahamas. The game marked Baylor's second loss of the season, highlighting areas for improvement as they progress.

Post-game, Baylor's head coach Scott Drew acknowledged the strength and strategy of Tennessee under the guidance of Coach Rick Barnes. "Coach Barnes is an unbelievable coach and an even better person. Mad respect for him. Love playing against him because if you have a weakness, they'll expose it," Drew remarked. He highlighted Tennessee's toughness, particularly evident in the first half when Baylor recorded just two assists and nine turnovers. Drew also noted the critical impact of defensive lapses, pointing out, "The one guy we said, 'don't give him an open three,' had 15 points in the first four minutes."

Despite the loss, Drew found positives in Baylor's second-half performance. "I was proud of the second half. We competed, we got better," he said, underscoring his aspirations for continuous improvement throughout the season.

Discussing the significance of challenging early-season games, Drew reflected on the potential risks and rewards. "You can lose confidence if you lose some games, but if you stay together, you really gain a great team, because diamonds are formed under pressure," he explained. With several new players and rotation adjustments still in progress, Drew emphasized the importance of these experiences in preparing for the rigors of the Big 12 conference.

As Baylor looks ahead, Coach Drew is focused on optimizing team dynamics and enhancing both offensive and defensive strategies. The lessons learned from facing formidable opponents like Tennessee will be crucial as the Bears continue to evolve this season.