Andrews scores 19; Baylor falls to No. 25 Texas 68-55

WACO, Texas — Despite a strong showing from the crowd, national television exposure, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark and former star Didi Richards on hand, Baylor (13-6, 4-3) fell to No. 25 Texas (14-6, 5-2) 68-55 on Sunday. The Bears were held scoreless for the final 4:04 of the game, and turned the ball over three times.

After scoring 24 points in the first half, Texas created the separation they needed with 28 points alone in the third quarter. Five different Longhorns found the bottom of the rim, while Baylor relied too much on Sarah Andrews who finished with 10 points in the quarter. 

“The third quarter really did us in,” said Andrews. “I feel like I have to get better defensively, I have to step up on that side of the ball.”

Baylor had an opportunity to take the lead heading into halftime, but Erica Porter was unable to hold onto the rock as Andrews found her under the bucket. Texas would take advantage of the turnover, as Rori Harmon drew a foul on Bella Fontleroy with 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock. 

Harmon would miss the first free throw, but connect on the second to give Texas a 24-22 lead heading into halftime. Despite committing four turnovers in the final 2:27 of the second quarter, Baylor’s defense held the Horns scoreless from the field for the final 4:03 of the second quarter.

Free throws were a glaring difference between the two teams in the first half, as the Bears were 1-4 from the charity stripe, while Texas shot 75% on 6-of-8 attempts.

Andrews carried the load for Baylor in the first half, as she connected on three shots from downtown to lead all scorers with 9 points heading into halftime. 

Her first bucket came with 6:17 in the first quarter, after getting an assist by finding Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (6pts) for an uncontested layup — and a 10-9 lead — Andrews hit another three-pointer to put the Bears up 12-10 with just under thirty seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Andrews would finally get some help offensively, as Ja’Mee Asberry found her rhythm in the fourth quarter. Asberry was able to spread the court and get out in transition for 7 of her 13 points on the night.

“I was able to capitalize off turnovers and spark my confidence, which made it easier for me to shoot the ball,” said Asberry. “I felt like I was able to finally get a soft touch and find my rhythm.”

Asberry drew a foul with 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter, which led to a corner three from Jana Van Gytenbeek, but like every other time Baylor would get some momentum, Texas countered on a shot from downtown by Shaylee Gonzales at the buzzer.

Head coach Nicki Collen discussed how deflating the shot by Gonzales was, and how her team struggled to watch the Horns' aggressiveness throughout the course of the game.

“We waited too long to play aggressively. And we just came out flat. We came out flat in the third quarter then, you know you get down to nine or 10 and you're climbing back and then they had a big shot,” said Collen. “I mean you the shot that Gonzalez hit to go into the fourth quarter was a huge moment, then you add 20 turnovers, it’s really painful.”

Texas finished the night with five different players in double figures, while Baylor had two: Andrews (19) and Asberry (13). Three Bears were held scoreless: Jaden Owens, Porter, and Blackwell.

Like she’s done all season, Caitlin Bickle (8 points) did most of her damage without the ball in her hands. Bickle led Baylor in rebounds with 10, while using her high basketball IQ to draw multiple charges on Texas.

“She has got to have some help from her teammates,” said Collen. “There are times where she does the best job of anyone on our team of boxing out, even when she’s guarding players that are five to six inches taller than she is. But that’s where our guards have to have her back — they have to be more consistent — and we just didn’t do that tonight.

The Bears will now get some much-needed rest, as they have a midweek bye before heading to Lubbock next Saturday to face Texas Tech (15-5, 3-4) at 2:00 p.m.