Baylor's season comes to an end against UConn 77-58

STORRS, Conn -- While the sellout crowd in Gampel Pavilion was chanting “Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye,” Baylor senior Caitlin Bickle was holding back tears on the bench. Fellow senior Ja’Mee Asberry absorbed the atmosphere while chewing a piece of gum.

The realization that their collegiate careers had just come to an end at the hands of UConn in the Round of 32 was very emotional. Baylor (20-13) didn’t go down without a fight, but a poor defensive performance in the third quarter led their season coming to end 77-58.

Asberry would join Jaden Owens and Bella Fontleroy in double figures as she finished the night with a team-high 15 points. Ownes finished the night with 14 points, while Fontleroy had 12 points. Bickle only scored 3 points, but she led the team in rebounds with seven. 

Darianna Littlepage-Buggs was back after missing a majority of the game against Alabama and finished the night with 6 points and 6 rebounds. Sarah Andrews had a slow night with 5 points, but added 3 blocks, while Jana Van Gytenbeek added 3 points.

Baylor punched UConn in the mouth in the first quarter, picking up where they left off behind the arc against Alabama. The Bears shot 6-of-11 from downtown and held a 24-18 lead heading into the second quarter.

The Huskies gathered their composure during the break and opened up the second quarter on a 7-0 run, which forced Nicki Collen to call a timeout with her team down 25-24. Baylor was unable to slow down the Huskies, as they outscored the Bears 22-11, including a 15-2 run.

Baylor was beginning to build some offensive momentum late in the second quarter behind a 6-2 run, but UConn stole the momentum heading into halftime as Nika Muhl drilled a half-court shot at the buzzer that put the Huskies up 40-35 at the break. 

Asberry provided a spark for the Bears in the third quarter, as she drilled a three-pointer and followed it up with a steal and another bucket to pull Baylor within one point down 44-43. Unfortunately, UConn guard Azzi Fudd took the game over.

Fudd single-handedly outscored the Bears 16-15 in the third quarter, as the Huskies took advantage of multiple Baylor turnovers. UConn will advance to the Sweet 16 in Seattle where they will meet Ohio State.