Baylor recorded its 13th straight 20-win season as senior center Brittney Griner had another double-double, with 30 points, 10 rebounds, a career high seven assists and three blocks to help the No. 1 Lady Bears defeat No. 19 Oklahoma State 81-62.
Junior guard Odyssey Sims also added 15 points and nine assists as Baylor extended its regular season win streak to 32 games.
The Lady Bears (20-1, 20-0 Big) outscored Oklahoma State (15-5, 4-5 Big 12) 37-26 in the first half and 44-to-36 in the second half. Baylor also had 13 points off the bench whereas Oklahoma State did not have any.
While Baylor did win, they did have trouble on the road as Oklahoma State had 27 second-chance points off of 22 offensive rebounds. Baylor was 17 of 26 from the foul line for 65 percent and turned the ball over 20 times.
“We turned the ball over way to much,” Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey said, “it wasn’t enjoyable to watch.”
The game did not start in the Bears’ favor as Griner turned the ball over on the first possession. Both teams went on mini runs in the first seven minutes of the game. Oklahoma State went on a 6-0 run to lead 21-16. Baylor responded with a 13-2 run as it began to pressure Oklahoma State by closing lanes and playing physical basketball.
Senior guard Jordan Madden’s clutch 3-point jumper inside of six minutes to go in the first half gave the Lady Bears a spark as the offense began to pick up the slack. Sims began to attack the rim allowing for more baskets. With four second left in the half, Sims threw the ball to freshman guard Alexis Prince scored on a 3-point play.
Baylor had an uncharacteristic first half with 11 turnovers, and they missed passes and mishandled the ball. Baylor’s defense allowed Baylor to have a lead as they held Oklahoma State to 27 percent field-goal shooting and 30 percent from the 3-point line. However, Baylor’s foul shooting problem began to creep up as they shot 4-9 from the line in the first half.
The second half start was a different story as Baylor’s speed allowed them to go on a 12-2 run. Baylor’s defense also contributed to Oklahoma State’s struggle to make baskets. Baylor forced three turnovers during that stretch, but second chance points by Oklahoma State kept them in the game.
Oklahoma State’s Liz Donohoe scored the first points of the second half for Oklahoma State as their offense began to get into a rhythm. Oklahoma State was physical and challenged every offensive rebound. They began to slowly chip away at the lead trying to get the crowd back into the game. However, Baylor responded after Oklahoma State went on a 7-0 run. For the rest of the game, both teams exchanged points, but Baylor’s defense and the existing lead were too much for Oklahoma State to overcome. Baylor’s foul shooting also improved in the second half as they went 13-of-17.
The Lady Bears will be back home playing Kansas at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Ferrell Center.
