As Baylor gears up for its Big 12 road opener on New Year’s Eve, the Bears will head into Stillwater with plenty to prove and even more to build on. Tipoff against Oklahoma State is set for 2 p.m. at Gallagher-Iba Arena, and this one has the makings of a tone-setter as conference play heats up.
This will be the 66th all-time meeting between the two programs, and if last season is any indication, we’re in for a battle. Baylor and Oklahoma State split their matchups a year ago - once in the regular season and again in the Big 12 Championship semifinals. These teams know each other well, and with both squads looking to climb the conference ladder, expect a physical, high-effort game from the jump.
Stat Leaders Making Noise
Through games played on Dec. 28, Baylor has several players sitting atop the Big 12 stat charts - and that’s no accident.
Kiersten Johnson is leading the conference in blocks, anchoring a defense that’s been tough to score on in the paint. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs continues to be a double-double machine, pacing the league in total double-doubles, rebounds, and rebounds per game.
Her consistency on the glass has been a major piece of Baylor’s early-season identity.
And don’t overlook Taliah Scott, who’s been automatic from the stripe. She leads the Big 12 in free throw percentage, giving Baylor a reliable closer in tight games - a factor that could be huge in the grind of conference play.
As a team, Baylor leads the Big 12 in blocks per game, showing just how disruptive this group can be defensively. That rim protection will be key against an Oklahoma State team that thrives on attacking the basket.
National Rankings and Resume Check
The Bears come into this matchup ranked 22nd in the AP Poll and 21st in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, riding an 11-3 start that’s had its share of highs and learning moments. In the NCAA’s NET rankings, Baylor sits at No. 34 - a solid spot, but one that leaves room to climb with quality conference wins.
So far, Baylor is 1-3 against Quadrant 1 opponents, with its signature win coming in the season opener against Duke in Paris - a victory that still holds weight in the resume column. That said, the Bears are looking for more marquee wins to solidify their postseason positioning.
Tough Loss, Quick Turnaround
Before the holiday break, Baylor dropped a heartbreaker at home to Texas Tech, 61-60, in its Big 12 opener. The Bears led by six heading into the fourth quarter, but a seven-point run from the Lady Raiders flipped the game late.
Despite out-rebounding Tech 38-37, Baylor couldn’t overcome a cold shooting night, finishing at 36.8% from the floor. That’s the kind of stat line that can make all the difference in a one-possession game - especially in conference play, where margins are razor-thin.
Yuting Deng was a bright spot, matching her career high with four made threes and finishing with a season- and game-high 22 points. Her go-ahead corner triple in the final minute gave Baylor a shot, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Tech’s final push.
Home Dominance Still Intact
While the loss to Texas Tech stung, it didn’t touch Baylor’s impressive non-conference home streak. The Bears went a perfect 8-0 at the Ferrell Center in non-league play this season, marking their third straight and fourth overall undefeated non-conference home slate under head coach Nicki Collen.
That’s part of a larger trend - Baylor has now won 27 straight regular season non-conference home games, a streak that dates back to a November 2022 loss to then-No. 19 Maryland. The Ferrell Center remains one of the toughest places to play in the country, and the Bears have protected it accordingly.
Looking Ahead
Now, the focus shifts to Oklahoma State - a team that’s always tough at home and capable of catching fire. For Baylor, this game is about more than just bouncing back from a narrow loss. It’s about setting the tone for the rest of Big 12 play, showing that the Bears can win on the road, and proving they belong in the national conversation.
With star power across the roster, a defense that travels, and a chip on their shoulder after the Texas Tech loss, Baylor has the tools to get it done. Now it’s time to see if they can put it all together in Stillwater.