By Parmida Schahhosseini
Sports Writer
It only took a couple of second for senior center Brittney Griner to break the Big 12 scoring record. She scored the first four points in the game as the No. 1 Baylor Lady Bears defeated Texas Tech 90-60 Wednesday night.
Griner had a huge night getting as she got her 12th career dunk on her way to 40 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks. She now has 29 blocks in Baylor’s last four games.
Baylor started off strong, going on an 18-4 run. Texas Tech came back into the game by knocking down five 3-pointers in the first half. Baylor also allowed Tech to go on an 8-0 to cut the lead to six points. Baylor’s offense was not its typical self after Texas Tech put on full court pressure. Tech was very physical inside the arc as bodies collided, but Baylor kept fighting.
With 7.2 seconds left in the first half, Mulkey called a timeout to draw out a play. Senior guard Jordan Madden threw it to Griner who gave to junior guard Odyssey Sims. Sims drove down the lane and put in the layup, but the referee called a charging. Moments later the call was reversed to a blocking foul causing the Texas Tech crowd to boo loudly.
Sims made the free throw to make it a 3-point play as the Lady Bears went into halftime with time a 41-27 lead.
After trading points in the opening minutes of the second half, Baylor broke away as the Lady Bears found their offensive groove. Senior forward Brooklyn Pope had 14 points and five rebounds and Madden and Sims scored a combined for 17 points.
Baylor outscored Texas Tech 50-18 in the paint, 12-6 in second chance points and 8-0 in fast break points. Despite the physical game, the Lady Bears kept their composure and played a poised game. Texas Tech had no answer for Griner and the Baylor offense.
Baylor’s defense did responded to the Texas Tech offense. After the Lady Raiders went 5-of-11 from the 3-point range in the first half, they were held to two in the second half. They finished the game 7-of-25.
The Baylor bench also helped contribute to the 30-point win with junior guard Makenzie Robertson scoring seven points in two minutes, which included a 4-point play.
The free throw shooting also improved. After missing 14 on Saturday against No. 21 Oklahoma, the Lady Bears shot 15-21 from the line against Texas Tech.
The Lady Bears (9-0 Big 12, 19-1 overall) have extended their conference winning streak to 31 regular season wins. They will face Oklahoma State at 7 p.m. Saturday in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
