No. 10 Baylor hands No. 24 Miami its first loss with 75-57 victory in Hall of Fame Series
SAN ANTONIO — Sarah Andrews had 18 points and No. 10 Baylor handed No. 24 Miami its first loss, rolling to a 75-57 victory in the Hall of Fame Series on Saturday.
Baylor forced 15 turnovers and led for all but 1 minute, 34 seconds.
“This is a big matchup for us,” Bears guard Darianna Littlepage-Buggs said. “Preparation has been crazy. Just to be able to get out there and play and complete the mission, we’re feeling great right now.”
Jada Walker added 14 points, Bella Fontleroy had 13 points and Yaya Felder had 12 points for Baylor (9-0). Littlepage-Buggs had six points and 13 rebounds.
Shayeann Day-Wilson had 12 points to lead Miami (8-1). Ally Stedman and Kyla Oldacre each added 11 points.
The Bears finished with 18 assists and shot 46% from the field.
“There are so many different people on the floor that can score anytime, which makes it so hard to guard,” Walker said. “Teams can match up diamond-and-two, box-and-one, (but) you can’t set on one person. You can’t set on (Dre’Una Edwards) or Sarah or Buggs. You have to play everyone, everyone off the bench. Everyone who comes into the game brings something to the floor.”
Baylor guard Jada Walker (11) drives around Miami guard Ja’Leah Williams (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. Credit: AP/Eric Gay
The Bears quickly took control of a battle between unbeaten and Top 25 ranked teams.
Baylor captured a 13-point lead with Walker scoring nine points in the opening quarter while making all four field goal attempts and a free throw. Walker, who transferred from Kentucky in April, finished 5 for 6 from the field and was 4 for 4 on free throws.
“I love that they were playing man to begin with,” Bears coach Nicki Collen said. “I just kept encouraging her to get to her left hand and get downhill. I thought she was just really aggressive against their pressure early, which was really important for us.”
Baylor was 5 for 10 on 3-pointers in the first half, including a 23-footer by Andrews with 40 seconds left in the second quarter that put the Bears up 47-32.
Baylor guard Aijha Blackwell (33) shoots against Miami during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. Credit: AP/Eric Gay
The Bears finished 10 for 20 on 3-pointers.
BIG PICTURE
Baylor: The Bears failed to score at least 80 points for only the second time this season. Their previous low was a 71-51 victory over Oregon on Dec. 3. Baylor entered among the top 10 offenses at 90.3 points per game and was second nationally at 24.3 assists.
Miami: The Hurricanes were held to their lowest output of the season in suffering their first loss. Miami’s previous low came in a 61-57 home victory over Southern on Nov. 17.
UP NEXT
Miami: The Hurricanes open their Hurricanes Holiday tournament against Jackson State on Wednesday.
Baylor: The Bears play Providence in the West Palm Beach (Fla.) Invitational on Wednesday.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here.
