NaLyssa and Baylor celebrate another green-and-gold confetti party, as well as another Big 12 title the Bears won’t have to share.
Smith scored 35 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help the Bears win the Big 12 Women’s Title with an 82-57 victory over Texas Tech on Sunday.
It’s always thrilling to win. Smith stated that this is his favorite feeling. “The more I win the more excited I get,” Smith said.
After a win of 87-62 at Iowa State, the Bears (25-5 and 15-3 Big 12), were guaranteed at most a part of their 12th consecutive Big 12 title. Baylor has won 15 out of 16 conference games since Nicki Collen’s loss to them in the first two games. Texas Tech was the Cyclones’ last regular season game Saturday night. Baylor had to win the title by beating Texas Tech.
Collen, who was the former WNBA coach and replaced Kim Mulkey, said that although it sounds absurd to claim they went from the outhouse into the penthouse in two months. “But we were resilient. “But we were resilient. … Are you still believing? Each one said yes. We’ve been working steadily since then.”
Bryn Gerlich scored 12 points for Texas Tech, while Taylah Thomas had 11. Texas Tech was unable to outscore Smith as a team until the second period (11-18 and 4-14). Smith scored 22 points at the half, while Baylor led by 45-22. Vivian Gray ended with 10 points. This was half her season average.
Tech tied the game at 2:2. Gray and Smith traded jumpers to make it 4-4. After Smith’s free throws in the opening minute, Tech built a lead of four points before Smith’s fastbreak layup. This began Smith’s streak of 12 consecutive points that spanned four minutes.
“Obviously Baylor is a very good basketball team. Krista Gerlich, Lady Raiders coach, said that we were quite mismatched with NaLyssa. “She has some really great pieces around her, so it is difficult to try and double her in some spots. She is a dynamic player who can score in many ways.
Smith could be the No. Smith, who could be the No. 1 overall pick in next WNBA draft was crowned with her 21st doubled-double this season and 49th career double-double. She had previously scored 33 points against Kansas eight days before, and she followed that up with a career-best 20 rebounding in the victory over Iowa State on Monday.
Jaden Owens scored 13 points, shooting 5-of-5, and also made three 3-pointers for Baylor.
Gray’s free throw at 8:07 in the third quarter was Tech’s 23rd point. Smith had one less. Smith followed immediately with a layup to her 24th point. Tech had previously scored consecutive field goals for only the second time in the game. However, that 22-point deficit would remain the largest for the remainder of the game.
The Ferrell Center hosted a post-game celebration to celebrate the Baylor men’s national championship win. On a stage, the women received their latest trophy. There was also a table with 12 previous conference trophies.
Smith was the last Bears player — there are only eight scholarship players and one walk-on at the beginning of the season — who had to take a piece off the net. Collen completed the job and then tossed the final piece of net in the air.
“This group is incredibly special. “You know Collen, it’s coach speak to say that we’ll be better March, but the truth is that this is when you want your best basketball.” Collen thanked the crowd and thanked them for their support.
She said, “Thanks for believing that what was available was sufficient. Because what we have is enough.” “I will take this group anywhere on the road and I’ll compete for any other championship.”
BIG PICTURE
Texas Tech: Texas Tech’s Lady Raiders won 83-79 over TCU in the home finale after having lost 10 of 11 previous games.
Baylor: Despite winning the Big 12 title and three national titles for Mulkey in the past 11 years, Baylor lost its first two conference games under Collen. Oklahoma beat Oklahoma in a thrilling game. This was their only loss. The Bears are on a 10-game winning streak.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Baylor could make it to the top four this season for the first-time. Fourth-ranked Louisville just lost to Miami in quarterfinal round of Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
UP NEXT
Kansas City’s Big 12 tournament. Texas Tech is the No. 8 seed, plays Oklahoma State on Thursday night. The winner of the first round game will face Baylor in Friday’s quarterfinal.
