WACO, Texas (AP) -- Bobby Leach scored a career-high 25 points to lead Texas A&M to an 84-76 win over Baylor on Saturday afternoon.
Antoine Wright had 16 points and Acie Law 15 as the Aggies (19-8, 8-8 Big 12 Conference) won its first game in six visits to Ferrell Center.
Texas A&M finished 0-16 in Big 12 play last season. The Aggies' eight-game improvement tied a conference record with the 2000 Iowa State team, which improved from 6-10 to 14-2.
Leach's three-pointer put A&M ahead 53-42 with just over 13 minutes remaining. The Aggies scored only one field goal in the game's final four minutes but connected on 15-of-18 free throws to clinch the win.
Baylor (9-18, 1-15) never got closer than nine points on several occasions, the last coming at 73-64 with 2:08 left to play.
Aaron Bruce had 28 points, while Tommy Swanson added 17 points for the Bears.
Baylor led 14-7 early in the first half, but the Aggies went on a 13-0 run to move in front 20-14.
Texas A&M led 38-29 at the half with Wright and Leach pacing the way with 10 points each.
