Gameday Thread: Women's Basketball bids Farewell to the Ferrell

WACO, Texas – The No. 10 Baylor women’s basketball team returns to action after 10 days off when it hosts Delaware State for its annual Future Bears Day game on Thursday at 11 a.m. before traveling to San Antonio for the Hall of Fame Series game with Miami on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Thursday’s game with the Hornets marks the final regular-season contest at the Ferrell Center for the women’s program in the 35-year history of the arena.

Both games are available on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+ while live in-game updates will be provided via Twitter and live stats. 

STARTING FIVE

Baylor is ranked No. 10 for the second-straight week in the AP Top-25 Poll. The Bears’ appearance in the top 10 last week marked the first time since week 18 of the 2021-22 season that BU found itself in the top-10. 

The Bears are coming off their fifth game with a margin of victory of 20-plus points, their most recent a 71-51 win over the Oregon Ducks (Dec. 3) that moved BU to 7-0 on the season.

Aijha Blackwell turned in her best performance of the year, recording her team-leading 35th double-double of her career with 10 points and 12 rebounds while adding a career-high five steals. 

The pair of matchups this week will be Baylor’s first against Delaware State and just the third meeting with Miami. The two previous outings against Miami were also at neutral sites, most recently in 2015. 

Baylor is seeking its eighth-straight win to start the year on Thursday. With this accomplishment, the Bears will match their best start since the 2018-19 season.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS AND THE SERIES

Delaware State enters Thursday’s game with a 2-7 record and will be playing its eighth road game of the year. The meeting between the Bears and the Hornets will be the first matchup in program history. The Hornets have won two of their last three contests, picking up a 25-point win over Long Island in that stretch. Delaware State has three players averaging double figures, led by Tyshonne Tollie’s 12.3 points per game.

Saturday’s meeting with Miami marks the third between the Bears and the Canes in program history and it will be the third time meeting on neutral ground. The series is split at one win apiece with the last going in favor of the Bears, 88-81, in 2015. Miami is 8-0 to begin the season and ranked No. 24 in the most recent AP Top-25 Poll. The Canes have a pair averaging double figures, led by Jasmyne Roberts at 12.1 points per contest.

PROMOTIONS

Thursday’s game has been tabbed Future Bears Day with over 6,000 elementary school students planning to be in attendance. To account for the size of this event, we ask that all ticket holders sit in sections 101, 103, 111, 113 and 123. Rows 2-16 will be for general seating and rows A-F will still be reserved. For questions about seating, contact the Baylor Ticket Office at 254-710-1000. Event staff ushers will also be able to assist fans on game day.

HALL OF FAME SERIES INFORMATION

The Baylor vs. Miami game will be the first of three contests a part of the Hall of Fame Series in San Antonio this year and the only women’s basketball game at the event. The contest is slated for 4 p.m. and will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Fans can purchase tickets on the event website here.