Fontleroy Shines, Littlepage-Buggs Dominates the Glass as No. 15 Baylor Handles Southern, 77-60
WACO, Texas - On a night when Baylor’s depth and balance were on full display, it was Bella Fontleroy who set the tone early and never let up. The sophomore forward dropped a game-high 21 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting, including three makes from deep, as No. 15 Baylor pulled away from Southern for a 77-60 win at Foster Pavilion.
Fontleroy didn’t just fill it up - she filled the stat sheet. Seven rebounds, four assists, and 30 minutes of high-impact play underscored her all-around performance.
When Baylor needed a bucket, she delivered. When they needed a spark, she lit the match.
But the Bears didn’t ride solo. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs continued her season-long tear on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds - seven of them offensive - to go along with 13 points.
That’s her sixth double-double of the season and the 36th of her career. When it comes to controlling the paint, few in the country do it with more consistency or physicality.
And then there was Kayla Nelms.
The sophomore guard came off the bench and made the most of her 20 minutes, erupting for a career-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. She was perfect from beyond the arc (2-for-2), added two assists, and even swatted a pair of shots. Her energy was contagious, and her second-quarter scoring burst was pivotal in helping Baylor build a lead they’d never relinquish.
Jana Van Gytenbeek ran the show with poise and precision, dishing out 10 assists and chipping in seven points. Her court vision and tempo control were instrumental in keeping Baylor’s offense humming, especially during a second-half run that put the game out of reach.
Yuting Deng also gave the Bears a lift off the bench, scoring 11 points and knocking down two threes. Baylor’s bench outscored Southern’s 34-17 - a testament to the program’s depth and the coaching staff’s ability to develop contributors across the roster.
The game started slow, with both teams struggling to find rhythm early. But Baylor broke through when Marcayla Johnson - making her first career start - converted an and-one to get the Bears on the board. From there, the offense began to click, particularly in the second quarter when Nelms and Van Gytenbeek helped Baylor stretch its lead to double digits.
Southern made a brief push in the third, but Fontleroy’s second three of the night quickly swung momentum back Baylor’s way. Nelms followed with an and-one and another triple to tie her career high from deep.
Then came the knockout punch - an 11-0 run sparked by Fontleroy and capped by Van Gytenbeek’s first three-pointer of the game. Just like that, Baylor led 58-41 heading into the fourth.
The final period was all about closing strong. Nelms added to her career night with a putback, Deng splashed her second three, and Fontleroy iced it with a pair of free throws. Kyla Abraham added four from the line down the stretch, sealing the 17-point win.
Baylor finished the game shooting 46.7% from the field and dominated the rebounding battle, 45-31. They also outscored Southern in the paint, 34-30, and showed why they’re one of the top 15 teams in the country - not just because of star talent, but because of how well they play together.
Southern (4-6) was led by Jaylia Reed’s 11 points, with Demya Porter and Jestiny Dixon each adding 10. But the Lady Jaguars couldn’t keep pace offensively, shooting just 35.5% from the floor and 23.1% from three.
Next up for Baylor: the start of Big 12 play. The Bears will host Texas Tech on Sunday afternoon in the second half of a doubleheader at Foster Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Baylor Sports Media Network.
With Fontleroy firing, Littlepage-Buggs controlling the glass, and the bench stepping up in a big way, Baylor looks ready for the next challenge. Conference play is here - and the Bears are already in midseason form.