Gameday Thread: No. 17 Bears Return Home for Non-Conference Matchup against East Texas A&M

WACO, Texas — No. 17 Baylor (1-1) will return home for a non-conference showdown against East Texas A&M (2-1). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at Foster Pavilion, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Massey Prediction: Baylor 91, East Texas A&M 47

Coaches

• Baylor (Nicki Collen): 74-29 Record; 3 NCAA Tournaments; Sweet 16
• East Texas A&M (Valerie King): 17-17 Record

Baylor Starters

• Guard Jada Walker (Sr.): 15 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, 58% FG, 40% 3-PT, 86% FT
• Guard Sarah Andrews (5Sr.): 9 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 5 APG, 30% FG, 23% 3-PT, 75% FT
• Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Jr.): 22 PPG, 8 RPG, 1 APG, 58% FG, 40% 3-PT, 86% FT
• Forward Bella Fontleroy (Jr.): 4.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 0 APG, 28% FG, 12% 3-PT, 0% FT
• Center Aaronette Vonleh (Sr.): 10.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 0 APG, 62% FG, 80% FT

Baylor Bench

• Guard Yaya Felder (Sr.): 7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 40% FG, 14% 3-PT, 72% FT
• Guard Waiata Jennings (Jr.): 0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.5 APG, 0% FG
• Forward Kyla Abraham (Jr.): 5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 60% FG, 100% FT
• Forward Kayla Nelms (Fr.): 0 PPG, 1 RPG, 0 APG, 0% FG

Top Quotes

Head coach Nicki Collen on the importance of getting center Aaronett Vonleh (Sr.) touches inside the paint:

• “We have to call more action for her, and that’s something I talked to our point guards about. We have actions to get the ball to our posts; we just didn’t call them. I don’t know if that’s the big-game environment or if we lost our way a little bit. … I need Jada [Walker] to do that. I need Sarah [Andrews] to do that. They have to call plays to get her touches without me having to say every single time, ‘Here’s what we’re doing.’”

Head coach Nicki Collen on the injury status of forward Bella Fontleroy (Jr.):

• “She rolled her ankle. … She’s still questionable. She didn’t practice on [Tuesday], so we’ll see what she’s able to do on [Wednesday]. My rule is that if you don’t practice the day before the game, I’m not playing you. … If she can go today, you’ll see her tomorrow. If she can’t go today, you won’t see her tomorrow on the court.”

Head coach Nicki Collen on what players must step up in the absence of guard Jana Van Gytenbeek (5Sr.):

• “Right away, I think it’s Yaya [Felder]. When we get Bella [Fontleroy] back, we can shift down and play bigger on the wings. I don’t think it’s one person’s responsibility. I think Wise [Jennings] has the furthest to go, just being the new kid on the block and playing with players who are seniors or have been in our system for three years. She has the biggest jump to make. Yaya’s been here and knows what the expectations are; she’s capable of doing a lot of things. It’s an opportunity for her, but I also think we’re going to have to play [Littlepage-Buggs] at the three and go double bigs with Kyla [Abraham] and Netty [Vonleh] together more, at least for the next month until we get Aliyah [Matharu].”

Other WBB Content

• No. 12 Bears Can’t Complete Comeback, Fall to Oregon in Eugene, 76-74
• Senior Guard Jana Van Gytenbeek To Miss Rest of Season with Torn ACL
• Win or Lose, I Look at How I Can Get Better & How the Team Can Get Better | Nicki Collen