Game Thread: No. 12 Baylor WBB Welcomes No. 17 TCU in Pivotal Revivalry Matchup

WACO, Texas – No. 12 Baylor women’s basketball (21-4, 10-2) prepares for a pivotal showdown against its rival, the No. 17 TCU Horned Frogs (21-4, 9-3). Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Foster Pavilion. The game will be televised on ESPN.

While the in-state opponents, separated by I-35, have held hate for one another for years, the rivalry lacked much interest in the women’s basketball department until last year. TCU had failed to down the Bears from 1990 to 2024, before investing resources into its program and defeating Baylor three times this past season.

TCU enters Waco as the highest-rated team in the Big 12 per Barttorvik, both in conference play and throughout the entire season, fueled by its elite defense. The Horned Frogs lead the country in shot defense, surrendering just 0.748 points per field goal attempt. Led by its shot defense, TCU ranks 11th nationally in adjusted defense and has the best 2-point defense in the country. For comparison, Baylor ranks 10th in adjusted defense and has the best 3-point defense in the country. The Horned Frogs are also elite at preventing second-chance points, as their height has led to a top-25 defensive rebounding unit. The height has also led to a top-20 block percentage, checking in at 19th nationally. 

On the offensive end, TCU boasts the sixth-best shot offense in the country. The Horned Frogs shoot 57.3% from inside the arc and 35.9% from 3-point range, good for 3rd and 24th in the nation. Baylor must limit the TCU offense, which ranks 23rd in the nation, to give the Bears' offense a chance to knock off their in-state rival on Thursday.

• Baylor Barttorvik Rank: 29
  • Baylor Massey Rating: 15
• TCU Barttorvik Rank: 14
  • TCU Massey Rating: 17
• Barttorvik Prediction: 64-62 TCU
  • Massey Prediction: 66-64 Baylor

Coaches

• Nicki Collen (Baylor): 123-40 record; 4 NCAA Tournaments, Sweet 16
• Mark Campbell (TCU): 115-44 record; 2 NCAA Tournaments, Elite 8

Projected Lineups

Baylor Starters

• Guard Jana Van Gytenbeek (5’7, 6Sr.): 7.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 6.2 APG, 37% FG, 35% 3-PT, 69% FT, 33 MPG
• Guard Taliah Scott (5’9, RSo.): 20.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 40% FG, 34% 3-PT, 90% FT, 31 MPG
• Forward Bella Fontleroy (6’0, Sr.): 9.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 34% FG, 28% 3-PT, 88% FT, 27 MPG
• Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (6’1, Sr.): 10.7 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 54% FG, 33% 3-PT, 63% FT, 29 MPG
• Forward Kiersten Johnson (6’4, Sr.): 5.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 0.5 APG, 2.0 BPG, 48% FG, 52% 3-PT, 73% FT, 19 MPG

Baylor Bench

• Guard Marcayla Johnson (6’0, Fr.): 3.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 0.8 APG, 32% FG, 13% 3-PT, 50% FT, 18 MPG
• Guard Yuting Deng (6’2, So.): 7.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.0 APG, 45% FG, 39% 3-PT, 74% FT, 17 MPG
• Forward Kyla Abraham (6’3, RJr.): 3.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.3 APG, 1.6 BPG, 59% FG, 52% FT, 16 MPG
• Forward Kayla Nelms (6’1, So.): 4.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.4 APG, 58% FG, 33% 3-PT, 75% FT, 9 MPG

Projected Lineups

TCU Starters

• Guard Olivia Miles (5’10, Sr.): 19.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 51% FG, 35% 3-PT, 85% FT, 35 MPG
• Guard Donovyn Hunter (6’0, Jr.): 12.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 49% FG, 37% 3-PT, 79% FT, 32 MPG
• Guard Taylor Bigby (6’1, Gr.): 6.9 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43% FG, 38% 3-PT, 72% FT, 22 MPG
• Forward Marta Suarez (6’3, Gr.): 15.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 47% FG, 35% 3-PT, 89% FT, 30 MPG
• Center Clara Silva (6’7, So.): 9.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.8 BPG, 61% FG, 53% FT, 24 MPG

TCU Bench

• Forward Clara Bielefeld (6’4, Fr.): 2.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 46% FG, 26% 3-PT, 64% FT, 14 MPG
• Center Kennedy Basham (6’7, Sr.): 3.0 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 0.4 APG, 1.5 BPG, 51% FG, 58% FT, 12 MPG
• Guard Veronica Sheffey (5’9, Sr.): 4.4 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 0.5 APG, 50% FG, 42% 3-PT, 81% FT, 12 MPG