Baylor Women Hit 20-Win Mark with Gritty Road Victory Over Cincinnati
CINCINNATI - It wasn’t pretty early, but No. 15 Baylor women’s basketball found its groove when it mattered most, riding a second-quarter surge and a late push to a 76-70 win over Cincinnati on the road Wednesday night.
This one had all the hallmarks of a veteran team that knows how to weather a storm. Baylor’s offense sputtered out of the gate - hitting just two of its first 13 shots - but the Bears leaned on their defense, timely shooting, and a balanced scoring effort to grind out their 20th win of the season. That milestone extends Baylor’s streak of 20-win seasons to 26 straight - second only to UConn in active Division I women’s basketball.
Early Struggles, Veteran Response
The first quarter was tough sledding offensively. Jana Van Gytenbeek was the lone spark early, knocking down a pair of threes while the rest of the team struggled to find the bottom of the net. Baylor didn’t score a field goal outside of Van Gytenbeek until late in the quarter, when Darianna Littlepage-Buggs added two layups and Dre’una Abraham chipped in a free throw to keep the Bears within striking distance.
But what separates good teams from great ones is how they respond - and Baylor responded like a team that’s been here before.
Second-Quarter Surge
The Bears found their rhythm from beyond the arc in the second quarter, and that changed everything. Bella Fontleroy’s second three of the night tied the game with just over four minutes left in the half. Moments later, Taliah Scott drilled a go-ahead three to give Baylor its first lead since the opening minutes.
Scott wasn’t done. She buried two more threes and added a late layup to cap a personal scoring flurry that sent Baylor into halftime with a 36-33 lead. After coughing up eight turnovers in the first 13 minutes, the Bears tightened up and didn’t commit another until the fourth quarter - a testament to their poise and in-game adjustments.
Trading Blows, Then Closing Strong
Cincinnati didn’t go quietly. The Bearcats clawed back and briefly reclaimed the lead in the third quarter, but Van Gytenbeek had an answer - again. Her fifth three-pointer of the night gave Baylor a two-point edge heading into the fourth.
And when it was time to close, Baylor did just that.
Scott poured in 10 of her 26 points in the final frame, continuing her torrid stretch from deep and attacking the rim with confidence. Littlepage-Buggs and Abraham chipped in with key buckets and controlled the glass down the stretch, helping Baylor maintain its cushion. The Bears outscored Cincinnati 20-16 in the fourth to seal the six-point win.
Standout Performances Across the Board
Scott led all scorers with 26 points and extended her streak to 10 straight games with a made three-pointer. She was electric, knocking down three from long range and showing off her full offensive arsenal.
Van Gytenbeek matched her career high with 19 points and set a season high with five made threes - clutch shooting that kept Baylor afloat early and helped them regain control late.
Littlepage-Buggs continued her double-double dominance with 10 points and 12 boards, marking her 11th of the season. Her presence in the paint was critical on both ends.
Fontleroy added 12 points and a game-high three steals, bringing two-way energy that helped swing momentum in Baylor’s favor. Abraham quietly made her mark, hitting a career-high five free throws and contributing on the boards.
What’s Next
With this win in the books, Baylor heads back to Waco for a pair of nationally televised matchups, starting Saturday against Arizona State at 5 p.m. on FS1. The Bears are building momentum, and with this kind of balanced attack and mental toughness, they’re positioning themselves as a serious threat down the stretch.
This team knows how to win - even when the shots aren’t falling early. And that’s the kind of trait that travels well in March.