By Phillip Ericksen
Sports Writer
The top-ranked Lady Bears defeated the Texas Longhorns 75-48 Saturday night at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. The defending national champions are now 22-1 this season, while the Longhorns fall to 9-13.
Junior guard Odyssey Sims led the way with 18 points while playing 38 minutes. Senior center Brittney Griner contributed 14 points, three rebounds and eight blocks, including her 13th dunk of her career in the second half.
Senior guard Jordan Madden added 11 points and freshman guard Alexis Prince had 9.
The Lady Bears, wearing pink shoes to support breast cancer awareness, broke the game open in the second half, outscoring their opponent 41-23. They only led by nine at halftime in a turnover-heavy performance by both teams.
Griner fell into early foul trouble and sat out most of the first half, but her dunk was a turning point in the game as the Lady Bears quickly extended their lead in a 21-4 run.
They also overpowered Texas defensively with 13 steals and 10 blocks.
For the Longhorns, freshman center Imani McGee-Stafford had 13 points and 18 rebounds while freshman guard Empress Davenport also had 13 points.
The game brings the dominant Lady Bears to 12-0 in conference play and secures a four-game lead over No. 23 Oklahoma. The mightily struggling Longhorn team falls to 2-9, and has lost 11 of its last 13.
All 22 of Baylor’s victories have come in double digits and with strong, consistent play from the entire lineup.
The Lady Bears will look to continue their historic momentum in Waco against Texas Tech on Feb. 12, followed by another home matchup with TCU on Feb. 16. Both teams are unranked.
The following game, however, could be the marquee matchup of the NCAA season. They will take on the third-ranked Connecticut Huskies in a road matchup on Feb. 18.
