No. 23 Baylor Outruns No. 17 Sooners in Norman, 81-70

NORMAN, Oklahoma — The No. 23 Baylor Women’s Basketball team (11-3, 2-0) upset the No. 17 Oklahoma Sooners (11-2, 1-1) 81-70 in the Lloyd Noble Center to keep an unbeaten start to the Big 12 season going on Tuesday night.

Sarah Andrew led the way for Baylor with a career-high 30 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Elsewhere, Caitlin Bickle had a 10-point and 10-rebound double-double while Erika Porter made a very nice six-point contribution off the bench when would trouble put Baylor in a pinch.

With 53 total fouls called in the game, players on both sides were forced to sit out for extended periods of time. For the green and gold, the three B’s — Bickle, Buggs and Bella — each picked up three first-half fouls as well as each picking up a fourth in the third frame.

Jaden Owens joined her teammates late by fouling out with about one minute left, but she played a really good 37 minutes with nine points and six assists.

Owens’ play was particularly good in the first half as she helped guide the Bears to a 21-5 first quarter lead.

That 16-point lead came thanks to some effective defense, forcing the Sooners into 1-for-16 shooting in the period.

However, as the fouls hit the Bears, the hosts started hitting their shots and the lead shrank to just four points at halftime.

Ana Llanusa scored 10 of her 24 points for the Sooners in the second quarter and Baylor looked to be reeling heading into the half.

However, BU head coach Nicki Collen made sure her team regained their poise.

Sarah Andrews also stepped up in the third and netted 12 points including a buzzer-beater three at the end of the period. Baylor’s lead was 57-45.

As the fouls piled up in the fourth, Bella Fontleroy fouled out with nine minutes left, followed by Darriana Littlepage-Buggs with about five minutes left. 

The Sooners kept pushing for a comeback, pushing the deficit as low as eight points, seven points and six points on many occasions. 

But the Bears stayed calm and poised. 

Erika Porter converted a timely and-one in the paint and Asberry poured in eight points in the final frame to see the Bears through despite Owens fouling out late.

Oklahoma standouts Madi Williams and Liz Scott fouling out as well surely did not hurt Baylor either, but it was a well-earned victory for Nicki Collen’s squad on the road in the Big 12.

Up next, the Bears head to Lawrence for a Saturday afternoon showdown with the No. 21 Jayhawks (4 PM, ESPN+).