Baylor's Patrick Urey, right, breaks around McCallie's JaVaughn Craig during their rivalry basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at Baylor School in Chattanooga.So much for home-court advantage. After being upset at home a month ago, McCallie returned the favor by beating Baylor 60-44 inside a packed Jimmy Duke Arena on Saturday night.
After a first half that had six lead changes, the visiting Blue Tornado opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run, built a 20-point lead and cruised the rest of the way.
"We're a 20-win team but people looked at me differently, like they didn't like me anymore, after we lost to Baylor," Blue Tornado coach John Shulman joked afterward. "I know how important this rivalry is and how big the game is for our kids, so this was a really big deal to come in here and win like this.
"I saw a quote from Bruce Pearl last week where he told his players to embrace the hostility of playing on the road. This is a tough environment here, but our kids really embraced it and played well."
Adrian Thomas' layup with 2:44 remaining before halftime gave McCallie a one-point lead, and he followed with a 3-point basket 30 seconds later, all part of a 10-0 run that gave the visitors the lead for good.
Clinging to a three-point halftime lead, McCallie used its pressure and depth to take a toll in the third quarter, when Baylor made just two field goals.
"They made shots and we didn't, and once they got out on us like that, it's tough for us to come back," Baylor coach Austin Clark said. "That's just not our style."
The win keeps McCallie (22-6, 5-5) tied with Ensworth and Pope John Paul II for second place in the East/Middle region of Division II. The top three teams earn a bye in the region tournament. The Blue Tornado host PJP on Tuesday and travel to Ensworth on Thursday.
Thomas led the balanced Blue Tornado with 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Jr. Clay added 10.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.