Baylor Women’s Basketball: Home Cooking, Hot Starts, and a Star in the Making
Baylor is right in the thick of a five-game homestand, and so far, the Bears are making themselves comfortable at Foster Pavilion. Next up: Southeastern Louisiana, a team they haven’t faced since 2016-a game that ended in a 71-point Baylor blowout. But this time around, it’s the first meeting under head coach Nicki Collen, and her squad is showing early signs of being a serious force.
Through eight games, Baylor sits at 7-1 and holds steady at No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 15 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll. That record isn’t just the product of a soft schedule-it’s built on dominant defensive metrics, a breakout star in the backcourt, and a frontcourt that’s crashing the glass with authority.
Lockdown Defense and Paint Presence
Let’s start with the defense. Baylor leads the Big 12 in several key categories as of Dec. 1, and it all starts at the rim.
The Bears are averaging 7.9 blocks per game-best in the league. Freshman Kiersten Johnson is a big reason why.
She’s already swatted 22 shots, good for 2.75 per game. That kind of rim protection gives Baylor a serious edge, especially when it comes to dictating pace and forcing opponents into tough looks.
Speaking of tough looks, Baylor held Louisiana Tech to just 29% shooting in a 75-46 win-the 18th time in the Collen era that the Bears have held an opponent under 30% from the field. That’s not a fluke. That’s a calling card.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs: The Glue in the Middle
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs continues to be the engine inside. She’s already posted three double-doubles this season-most in the Big 12-and is leading the conference in total rebounds (84), rebounds per game (10.5), and defensive boards per game (7.9).
She’s not just cleaning the glass; she’s controlling it. Her 10-point, 16-rebound performance against Grambling State was another reminder of how central she is to Baylor’s identity-physical, relentless, and steady.
Enter Taliah Scott: A Star is Born
But if there’s one name to circle in bold this season, it’s Taliah Scott. The Auburn transfer has been nothing short of electric.
She’s already scored 190 points in eight games-including a 32-point explosion against then-No. 19 Iowa-and has become the go-to scorer in crunch time.
Her fourth-quarter takeover against Duke was a prime example. Scott dropped 12 points in the final frame, going 3-of-6 from the field and knocking down six pressure-packed free throws to seal the win.
That performance earned her both Big 12 Player of the Week and USBWA National Player of the Week honors. She was also named to the Big 12’s Starting Five after lighting up the WBCA Showcase in Orlando with 54 points across two games.
Scott opened the year with seven straight 20-point games-a feat that puts her in rare company. Since 2000, only two other players have scored 20+ in each of their first seven games with a new team: Dyaisha Fair (Buffalo, 2019-20) and Emily Faurholt (Idaho, 2003-04). She’s currently tied with Iowa State’s Audi Crooks for the most 20-point games in the nation.
And it’s not just scoring. Scott leads Division I in made free throws (61) and is logging nearly 35 minutes per game-proof of just how much Collen trusts her with the ball in her hands.
Balanced Contributions and Clean Execution
Baylor isn’t just leaning on one or two players. Against Grambling State, the Bears committed just seven fouls-the second-fewest in the Collen era-and rolled to a 76-35 win.
Littlepage-Buggs had her third double-double, Scott and Bella Fontleroy both hit double figures, and Jana Van Gytenbeek dished out a game-high seven assists. That’s the kind of balanced, efficient basketball that wins in March.
What’s Next
With Southeastern Louisiana coming to town, Baylor has a chance to keep building momentum before the schedule tightens up. The Bears are defending home court with authority, developing chemistry, and watching a star emerge in real time.
If this team keeps trending upward-and if Scott continues to play at an All-American level-don’t be surprised if Baylor starts climbing even higher in the polls. This group has the pieces, the depth, and the defensive backbone to be a serious contender.