In a thrilling matchup at Foster Pavilion, No. 15 Baylor women's basketball team showcased their prowess with a commanding 74-60 victory over Arizona. This win boosts Baylor's record to 23-6 overall and 12-4 in conference play, solidifying their position as a formidable force this season.
Arizona came out strong, seizing early momentum with a series of baskets. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs helped keep Baylor in the game with four quick points, but a few early turnovers allowed Arizona to go on a 6-0 run. The Wildcats closed the first quarter with a 7-0 burst, securing a 22-15 lead.
However, Baylor turned the tide in the second quarter with a defensive masterclass. They held Arizona to just 23.5% shooting and outscored them 23-8, taking a 38-30 lead into halftime.
Taliah Scott was instrumental in this surge, scoring all 10 of her first-half points in the quarter, including a crucial 3-pointer and five free throws. Yuting Deng contributed significantly, giving Baylor their first lead since the opening minutes with a block and a 3-pointer.
Marcayla Johnson capped the quarter with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, her first in conference play, to extend the lead to eight.
The Bears maintained their defensive intensity after the break, limiting Arizona to a single field goal in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Marcayla Johnson extended Baylor's advantage to 18 points with a smooth jumper in the paint.
Despite Arizona's efforts to claw back with six quick points at the start of the fourth quarter, Kiersten Johnson's timely putback kept Baylor in control. The teams exchanged baskets down the stretch, but Baylor's lead remained secure.
Taliah Scott led the charge with a game-high 22 points, going a perfect 11-for-11 at the free-throw line and dishing out four assists. Marcayla Johnson added 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, marking her third career game in double figures. Yuting Deng contributed eight points, while Jana Van Gytenbeek provided six points and a team-high eight assists.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs added 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting, marking her 20th double-figure scoring game of the season. Bella Fontleroy chipped in with six points and grabbed 10 rebounds for her second double-digit rebounding performance of the year.
Arizona's effort was led by Daniah Trammell and Noelani Cornfield, each scoring 11 points.
Looking ahead, Baylor is set to conclude their regular-season home schedule against Kansas State on Monday at 6 p.m. CT. Fans can catch the action on ESPN2 and the Baylor Sports Media Network, with tickets still available through the Baylor athletics ticket office.
Stay connected with the team on their official social media accounts: @BaylorWBB.