Recap: Baylor Women's Basketball Earns Exhibition Win 96-56 Over West Texas A&M

WACO, Texas – Baylor Women’s Basketball opened its 2026-27 campaign with a 96-56 exhibition win over West Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon at Foster Pavilion. 

The Bears came out firing and built a 13-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Trinity Turner scored Baylor's first points, kicking off the season with energy and poise. The Bears' defense came out strong, holding the Lady Buffs to three points in the first six minutes. 

North Carolina State transfer Lorena Awou was a first-half standout, leading the Bears with 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting in just five minutes. Utah transfer Reese Ross was active in all areas of the game, scoring nine points, grabbing five rebounds and adding two assists in the first half. 

The Bears took a 43-29 lead into halftime, but also had 11 turnovers and a sloppy second quarter. 

Baylor came out of the locker room determined and fired on all cylinders offensively. The Bears quickly jumped on the Lady Buffs and ultimately doubled their lead to 28. Ole Miss transfer Tianna Thompson redeemed herself after a slow start, scoring 10 third-quarter points, none from behind the three-point line. Thompson inserted herself into the game, taking initiative to get the ball and create points in the paint.

The Bears dominated the fourth quarter, experimenting with various lineups. Baylor finished with six players in double figures. 

Ross (16 points) and Awou (19 points) led the Bears in scoring. Turner showed her ability to facilitate the offense, leading the team with 11 assists. Baylor dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle by 10. On defense, the Bears wreaked havoc, forcing 30 turnovers. 

Star guard Taliah Scott was not dressed out as she battles back from a lower-body injury. Marcayla Johnson was an active member of the bench as she hopes to return to the floor sometime during the regular season after tearing an ACL just before the NCAA Tournament last season.

The 2026-27 season officially tips off at Foster Pavilion, where the Bears face Fairleigh Dickinson at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. Baylor will look to open the season on a hot start, preparing for their tilt against No. 3 USC on Nov. 20 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.