Freshman guard Joshua Langford received his first start of the season. He started shooting early, however his first two three-point field goal attempts clanked off the front iron. Off of a missed three-point shot by fifth-year senior guard Eron Harris, Langford attacked the offensive glass, completing an acrobatic tip-in. He would end the half with four points and 11 minutes played.

Both teams started pulling from long range early. Within the first five minutes, MSU had converted on 3-of-6 three-point field goals, Baylor 1-for-4. 

Sophomore guard Matt McQuaid provided a spark coming off of the bench. McQuaid was able to take advantage of Baylor's zone defense, converting on two three-point baskets for six points. 

MSU's ability to knock down shots forced Baylor to go with a man-to-man defense. 

With 7:58 remaining in the first half, freshman forward Nick Ward leaked up court, converting a fast break down, with a foul. His free-throw brought the MSU run to 7-0. 

Shooting over 60 percent from the field in the first 10 minutes, Baylor was unable to shake the offensive efficiency by the Spartans until the last five minutes of the half. Baylor held the Spartans scoreless for almost three minutes. In two straight possessions, the Spartans struggled to find an open shot, forcing up three-point prayers that bricked off the glass, resulting in shot clock violations. MSU would finish the half shooting 48 percent. 

Baylor forward Jonathan Motley filled up the scoring column. Attempting almost half of the Baylor field goal attempts, 16 attempts for Motley on 33 team attempts, Motley ended the half with 20 points, a game high.

MSU's leading scorer was freshman forward Miles Bridges with seven points.