PARADISE ISLAND, The Bahamas — No. 18 Baylor (3-1) will open the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament against Southern Miss (2-2) on Saturday, Nov. 23. Tipoff at Imperial Arena is slated for 12:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed on Flo Hoops.
LINK TO BRACKET
Massey Prediction: Baylor 79, Southern Miss 51
Coaches
- Baylor (Nicki Collen): 74-29 Record; 3 NCAA Tournaments; Sweet 16
- Southern Miss (Joye Lee-McNelis): 560-445 Record; 4 NCAA Tournaments
Baylor Starters
- Guard Jada Walker (Sr.): 12.3 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 37% FG, 40% 3-PT, 65% FT
- Guard Sarah Andrews (5Sr.): 9.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.8 APG, 30% FG, 25% 3-PT, 75% FT
- Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Jr.): 18.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 53% FG, 25% 3-PT, 76% FT
- Forward Bella Fontleroy (Jr.): 9 PPG, 6 RPG, 38% FG, 33% 3-PT, 0% FT
- Center Aaronette Vonleh (Sr.): 12 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 59% FG, 60% FT
Baylor Bench
- Guard Yaya Felder (Sr.): 9.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 57% FG, 30% 3-PT, 75% FT
- Guard Waiata Jennings (Jr.): 2 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 0.3 APG, 50% FG, 50% 3-PT
- Forward Kyla Abraham (Jr.): 3.5 PPG, 5 RPG, 31% FG, 60% FT
- Forward Kayla Nelms (Fr.): 2.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 44% FG
- Forward Madison Bartley (5Sr.): 1.7 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 66% FG, 100% FT
Top Quotes
Head coach Nicki Collen on playing in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament:
- “The goal is to play in the championship game on Monday, and if we do that, we get the afternoon and evening to ourselves. But you can only take it one game at a time, and you have to earn your way into playing that game, and we’d have to beat really good opponents to do that. It’s a business trip; there’s no question. It’s not Italy or Greece. We’re going there to win a tournament.”
Head coach Nicki Collen on playing three games in three days:
- “All of the teams down there are going to be in the same situation. I don’t think this a tournament filled with teams platooning five and five. We’re going to have to be intentional about our subbing. I don’t like using timeouts for the sake of using timeouts, but if I have to use a timeout as a way to give someone rest, then I will; I’m not too stubborn to do that.”
Center Aaronette Vonleh (Sr.) on playing in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament:
- “We’re all excited to get a change of scenery and to keep playing new teams. It’s a good opportunity for us to compete in a good tournament and also get to explore another beautiful place.”
Center Aaronette Vonleh (Sr.) on avoiding foul trouble:
- “I have to be more disciplined. I know that was something I struggled a lot with my sophomore year; I think I fouled out of probably every game I got in. I’ve definitely improved a lot, but last game, there were a lot of fouls I shouldn't have gone for or been more sound on defense. I’ll fix that in the next game and be smarter. It hurts my team if I’m in foul trouble and can’t contribute.”
Center Kyla Abraham (Jr.) on becoming a force on defense:
- “Defense has always come naturally to me. It’s the most fun part of the game for me. Blocking a shot is the most exhilarating thing to do. Feeling the ball come into the palm of your hand and seeing it go flying is fun.”
Other WBB Content
- Feisty Defense Propels No. 17 Bears Past Texas A&M Corpus Christi, 65-42
- Senior Guard Jana Van Gytenbeek To Miss Rest of Season with Torn ACL
- Nicki Collen Talks Depth of Team as Injuries Put Damper On Early Season Success
