Gameday Thread: No. 19 Baylor Returns Home For Crucial Matchup against Iowa State

WACO, Texas – Baylor women’s basketball (23-5, 13-2) remains tied atop the Big 12 and returns home for a crucial matchup against Iowa State (19-9, 10-5). Tipoff from Foster Pavilion is slated for 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 22, and will be streamed on ESPN+.

• Massey Prediction: Baylor 77, Iowa State 69
• Baylor Massey Rating: No. 14
  • Baylor NET Ranking: No. 18
• Iowa State Massey Rating: No. 31
  • Iowa State NET Ranking: No. 39

Coaches

Baylor (Nicki Collen): 97-33 Record; 3 NCAA Tournaments; Sweet 16

Iowa State (Bill Fennelly): 796-375 Record; 25 NCAA Tournaments; 6 Sweet 16s; 2 Elite Eights

Baylor Starters

• Guard Jada Walker (5’7, Sr.): 11.1 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 5.5 APG, 43% FG, 38% 3-PT, 74% FT
• Guard Sarah Andrews (5’6, 5Sr.): 11.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 5.1 APG, 37% FG, 37% 3-PT, 52% FT
• Guard Yaya Felder (5’8, Sr.): 10.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 44% FG, 39% 3-PT, 74% FT
• Forward Bella Fontleroy (6’0, Jr.): 9.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 39% FG, 33% 3-PT, 56% FT
• Center Aaronette Vonleh (6’3, Sr.): 13.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 59% FG, 61% FT

Baylor Bench

• Guard Aliyah Matharu (5’7, Sr.): 7.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 45% FG, 41% 3-PT, 59% FT
• Forward Kyla Abraham (6’3, Jr.): 2.1 PPG, 3 RPG, 46% FG, 36% FT
• Forward Kayla Nelms (6’1, Fr.): 2.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 45% FG, 22% 3-PT
• *Forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (6’1, Jr.): 14.3 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 54% FG, 73% FT

*doubtful with injury*

Iowa State Starters

• *Guard Arianna Jackson (5’9, So.): 5.5 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 37% FG, 79% FT, 44% 3-PT
• Guard Kelsey Joens (5’10, So.): 4.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 45% FG, 44% 3-PT, 76% FT
• Guard Emily Ryan (5’11, Sr.): 9.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.3 APG, 44% FG, 42% 3-PT, 94% FT 
• Forward Addy Brown (6’2, So.): 14.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.2 APG, 49% FG, 36% 3-PT, 74% FT
• Center Audi Crooks (6’3, So.): 22.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 59% FG, 67% FT

*questionable with injury*

Iowa State Bench

• Guard Sydney Harris (6’1, Jr.): 7.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 49% FG, 77% FT, 49% 3-PT
• Guard Lily Hansford (6’2, Jr.): 1.1 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 19% FG, 100% FT 
• Guard Reagan Wilson (5’8, Fr.): 2.3 PPG, 35% FG, 34% 3-PT, 73% FT

Iowa State Notable Opponents

• Texas Tech (71-58 Win)
• Utah (75-67 Loss)
• No. 20 West Virginia (82-68 Loss)
• No. 11 Kansas State (87-79 Loss)
• No. 9 TCU (82-69 Loss)

Top Quotes

Head coach Nicki Collen on the status of star forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Jr.):

• “She has a knee injury. We don't know how long she'll be out. She'd day-to-day right now. Hopefully, it heals quickly. It's not season-ending — we hope.”

Forward Bella Fontleroy (Jr.) on stopping Iowa State’s offense:

• “They’re a good team. They shoot the ball really well, but I think with our pressure defense, we’ll be able to make some of those catches uncomfortable for them and not give them as many clean looks at the 3.”