Game Thread: No. 14 Baylor Women’s Basketball Closes its January Slate against Houston

WACO, Texas – No. 14 Baylor women’s basketball (18-3, 7-1) demolished UCF last Wednesday evening and looks to do the same against the Houston Cougars (6-13, 0-8), who are looking for their first conference win. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Houston has struggled greatly since joining the Big 12, posting a 5-13 conference record in 2023-24 and a 1-17 conference record in 2024-25. Despite making a coaching change, Houston appears destined for its second straight sub-10-win season. The Cougars rank 250th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency per Barttorvik, and have failed to reach the 70-point mark since Monday, Nov. 17.

Baylor should have no issues against the Cougars. Houston has yet to score 1.00 points per possession in a game all season. The Bears ought to make quick work of Houston before turning their focus to top-25-ranked West Virginia.

• Baylor Barttorvik Rank: 25
  • Baylor Massey Rating: 15
• Houston Barttorvik Rank: 179
  • Houston Massey Rating: 139
• Barttorvik Prediction: 76-47 Baylor
  • Massey Prediction: 77-49 Baylor

Coaches

• Nicki Collen (Baylor): 120-39 record; 4 NCAA Tournaments, Sweet 16
• Matthew Mitchell (Houston): 339-175 record; 9 NCAA Tournaments, 3 Elite 8s, 5 Sweet 16s

Projected Lineups

Baylor Starters

• Guard Jana Van Gytenbeek (5’7, 6Sr.): 7.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.0 SPG, 37% FG, 34% 3-PT, 72% FT, 32 MPG
• Guard Taliah Scott (5’9, RSo.): 20.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 40% FG, 34% 3-PT, 90% FT, 30 MPG
• Forward Bella Fontleroy (6’0, Sr.): 9.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 35% FG, 29% 3-PT, 86% FT, 26 MPG
• Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (6’1, Sr.): 10.2 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 51% FG, 27% 3-PT, 59% FT, 29 MPG
• Forward Kiersten Johnson (6’4, Sr.): 5.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.5 APG, 2.0 BPG, 51% FG, 57% 3-PT, 80% FT, 20 MPG

Baylor Bench

• Guard Yuting Deng (6’2, So.): 8.1 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 46% FG, 40% 3-PT, 74% FT, 18 MPG
• Guard Marcayla Johnson (6’0, Fr.): 4.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 0.7 APG, 32% FG, 14% 3-PT, 38% FT, 18 MPG
• Forward Kyla Abraham (6’3, RJr.): 3.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.3 APG, 1.8 BPG, 58% FG, 50% FT, 16 MPG
• Forward Kayla Nelms (6’1, So.): 4.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.4 APG, 57% FG, 40% 3-PT, 75% FT, 9 MPG

Projected Lineups

Houston Starters

• Guard Briana Peguero (5’7, Sr.): 8.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 34% FG, 29% 3-PT, 69% FT, 25 MPG
• Guard Kayla King (5’10, Fr.): 5.2 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 34% FG, 26% 3-PT, 77% FT, 25 MPG
• Guard TK Pitts (6’1, Sr.): 9.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 44% FG, 16% 3-PT, 59% FT, 28 MPG
• Forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim (6’3, Sr.): 7.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 46% FG, 32% 3-PT, 52% FT, 26 MPG
• Forward Jade Jones (5’10, Fr.): 7.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 40% FG, 13% 3-PT, 62% FT, 26 MPG

Houston Bench

• Guard Kierra Merchant (5’9, Jr.): 9.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 39% FG, 30% 3-PT, 67% FT, 24 MPG
• Guard Kyndall Hunter (5’7, Sr.): 8.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.3 APG, 33% FG, 30% 3-PT, 81% FT, 19 MPG
• Forward Amani Bartlett (6’3, Sr.): 1.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.2 APG, 31% FG, 83% FT, 12 MPG
• Guard Shun’teria Anumele (5’8, So.): 2.6 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.7 APG, 26% FG, 22% 3-PT, 69% FT, 10 MPG
• Guard Jorynn Ross (6’3, Jr.): 2.8 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.6 APG, 39% FG, 79% FT, 10 MPG