Snakebitten Bears survive SMU 58-55 in old SWC battle

WACO, Texas -- It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty, but it definitely looked like an old Southwest Conference slobberknocker, as No. 17 Baylor (3-0) defeated SMU (1-2) 58-55 on Tuesday night in the Ferrell Center. Despite being outscored 32-28 in the second half, the Bears earned their first win over the Mustangs since 1990.

Baylor went into halftime up 30-23 over SMU, but down two starters with first half injuries. Late in the first quarter, Aijah Blackwell was making her way up the court as she began to limp with a non-contact injury. She would hit the deck inside the paint on the Bear’s side of the court and burst into tears before being helped to the locker room.

With Blackwell unavailable for the remainder of the game, Kendra Gillispie stepped up with a career performance. She would finish the night with nine points and four rebounds, while shooting 50% from the floor.

The injury bug would strike once more with just over a minute before halftime, as Sarah Andrews rolled her ankle following a layup attempt in traffic. Andrews had just found her rhythm offensively, as she was 3-4 shooting, including 2-2 from downtown with 8 points.

Andrews wasn’t the only Bear cooking from long range in the first half. After missing the last outing against Incarnate Word, Ja’Mee Asberry returned against the Mustangs and drilled two shots from behind the arch as well. Jana Van Gytenbeek’s only offensive production in the first half came in the form of a three-pointer as well, which led to Baylor shooting 50% from deep heading into halftime.

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Asberry finished the night with 10 points and would give Baylor their largest lead of the game 39-29 at the 4:28 mark of the third quarter following a fast-break layup. Jaden Owens helped lead the way defensively with two steals that swung the momentum in Baylor’s favor as they forced the Mustangs into eight turnovers in the quarter. 

Owens was able to do the majority of her damage away from the bucket, as she wrapped up the night with 6 points and 7 assists. Erika Porter chipped 3 points on the night, while Darianna Littlepage-Buggs dominated the glass with 14 rebounds to go along with 2 points.

SMU cut the game to two points following a 11-0 run with just over four minutes remaining in the game. The Mustangs took advantage of Baylor inside and in transition off long rebounds, as the three-point attempts began to backfire on the Bears.

Bella Fontleroy and Catarina Ferreira helped secure the victory for Baylor, as they each scored 5 of Baylor’s 13 fourth quarter points. Andrews was able to return in the second half with a noticeable limp, but rounded out the second half with 6 of her team-high 13 points.

Baylor will get some much-needed rest as they prepare for a Top 25 showdown with No. 19 Maryland on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the Ferrell Center.