Baylor sneaks past Vandals 88-70

Baylor forward Nina Davis (13) fights off pressure from Idaho's Stacey Barr (10) as Davis attempts to move the ball up court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, in Waco, Texas.
Tony Gutierrez | Associated Press
Baylor forward Nina Davis (13) fights off pressure from Idaho's Stacey Barr (10) as Davis attempts to move the ball up court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, in Waco, Texas.Tony Gutierrez | Associated Press
Baylor forward Nina Davis (13) fights off pressure from Idaho’s Stacey Barr (10) as Davis attempts to move the ball up court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday in Waco.
Tony Gutierrez | Associated Press

By Shehan Jeyarajah
Sports Editor

No. 9 Baylor women’s basketball overcame a slow start to take care of business against a scrappy Idaho team 88-70 in Waco behind freshman guard Kristy Wallace’s 24 points.

Baylor (7-1) struggled to get going offensively in the first half, shooting a paltry 15-for-42 from the field. However, a second-half resurgence was able to catapult the Lady Bears to victory. Baylor shot 19-for-33 from the field in the second half, including 3-for-6 from the three-point line.

Wallace shot an efficient 9-for-18 from the field, including six-for-nine from the three-point line. Sophomore forward Nina Davis added 21 points and six rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting. Junior guard Niya Johnson rounded out the leading scorers with 15 points and nine dimes.

Idaho guard Stacey Barr scored 31 points on 24 shots, but the effort was not enough to overcome only 13 total field goals from the rest of her team. Christina Salvatore added 11 points, but shot only 3-for-14 from the field.

Baylor outrebounded the Vandals 50-37, and outshot them 45 percent to 39 percent. The Lady Bears were also able to leverage their advantage inside to a 40-18 scoring advantage in the painted area.

Baylor women’s basketball will take on Stephen F. Austin at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest.