Game Thread: No. 22 Baylor Women’s Basketball Faces Tough Test against Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. – No. 22 Baylor women’s basketball (11-3) travels north to Stillwater to take on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls (12-2) and their formidable offense. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Gallagher-Iba Arena. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Oklahoma State has maintained its preseason Barttorvik ranking, but the Cowgirls are still searching for a notable win, with only a single upper-quad victory. Baylor is looking to pick up its second-strongest win this season.

Oklahoma State has done a good job of avoiding mid-range jumpers this season. The Baylor defense has been one of the best at forcing shots from in between the rim and the 3-point line. It should be an interesting Xs-and-Os battle between the teams.

• Baylor Barttorvik Rank: 30
  • Baylor Massey Rating: 26
• Oklahoma State Barttorvik Rank: 36
  • Oklahoma State Massey Rating: 32
• Barttorvik Prediction: 70-69 Oklahoma State
  • Massey Prediction: 71-69 Oklahoma State

Coaches

• Nicki Collen (Baylor): 113-39 record; 4 NCAA Tournaments, Sweet 16
• Jacie Hoyt (Oklahoma State): 153-102 record; 2 NCAA Tournaments

Projected Lineups

Baylor Starters

• Guard Jana Van Gytenbeek (5’7, 6Sr.): 6.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 35% FG, 35% 3-PT, 78% FT, 31 MPG
• Guard Taliah Scott (5’9, RSo.): 20.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 45% FG, 39% 3-PT, 91% FT, 29 MPG
• Forward Bella Fontleroy (6’0, Sr.): 9.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.3 BPG, 38% FG, 29% 3-PT, 81% FT, 25 MPG
• Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (6’1, Sr.): 10.1 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 46% FG, 17% 3-PT, 58% FT, 29 MPG
• Forward Kiersten Johnson (6’4, Sr.): 5.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 0.5 APG, 2.3 BPG, 55% FG, 55% 3-PT, 80% FT, 20 MPG

Baylor Bench

• Guard Marcayla Johnson (6’0, Fr.): 5.4 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.9 APG, 35% FG, 15% 3-PT, 38% FT, 22 MPG
• Guard Yuting Deng (6’2, So.): 8.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 52% FG, 46% 3-PT, 59% FT, 18 MPG
• Forward Kyla Abraham (6’3, RJr.): 3.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.3 APG, 1.7 BPG, 65% FG, 54% FT, 16 MPG
• Forward Kayla Nelms (6’1, So.): 4.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.4 APG, 57% FG, 33% 3-PT, 67% FT, 10 MPG
• Forward Kiera Pemberton (6’1, Jr.): 2.5 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 73% FG, 50% 3-PT, 80% FT, 7 MPG
• Guard Ella Brow (5’8, Jr.): Season Debut

Projected Lineups

Oklahoma State Starters

• Guard Micah Gray (5’8, Sr.): 15.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 43% FG, 36% 3-PT, 92% FT, 28 MPG
• Guard Haleigh Timmer (5’11, Sr.): 15.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 58% FG, 50% 3-PT, 90% FT, 28 MPG
• Guard Amari Whiting (5’10, Jr.): 11.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.3 SPG, 48% FG, 41% 3-PT, 71% FT, 28 MPG
• Guard Stailee Heard (5’11, Jr.): 9.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, 39% FG, 22% 3-PT, 81% FT, 25 MPG
• Forward Achol Akot (6’1, Jr.): 10.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.6 SPG, 69% FG, 72% FT, 24 MPG

Oklahoma State Bench

• Guard Jadyn Wooten (5’6, So.): 11.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.4 SPG, 56% FG, 43% 3-PT, 72% FT, 27 MPG
• Guard Lena Girardi (5’11, Fr.)*: 12.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 48% FG, 42% 3-PT, 84% FT, 18 MPG
• Forward Praise Egharevba (6’3, Jr.): 3.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.8 APG, 47% FG, 67% FT, 12 MPG

*Questionable