MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — No. 22 West Virginia defeated No. 14 Baylor 70-60 on Sunday, marking a significant win for the Mountaineers and impacting the Big 12 standings. Kierra Wheeler led West Virginia with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Jordan Harrison also contributed 18 points to the victory.
Mountaineers Control the Game
West Virginia built on a six-point halftime advantage, extending it to 14 points in the third quarter with a 3-pointer from Sydney Shaw. The Mountaineers’ defense proved stifling, limiting Baylor to just three field goals during that period. Despite a late push from Baylor, fueled by Taliah Scott and Bella Fontleroy, West Virginia maintained control, leading by at least ten points for the remainder of the game.
Baylor struggled with field goal accuracy, shooting 30% overall, but compensated by making 27 of 32 free throw attempts. Scott led Baylor with 18 points, followed by Fontleroy with 14 and Littlepage-Buggs with 12.
Implications for the Big 12
The loss initially threatened to displace Baylor (19-4, 8-2 Big 12) from its position at the top of the Big 12 standings. However, a later win by No. 21 Texas Tech over No. 12 TCU resulted in Baylor and TCU remaining tied for first place. West Virginia’s win improves their record to 18-5, 8-3 in the Big 12.
Gia Cooke added 14 points and Shaw contributed 10 for West Virginia.
Looking Ahead
Baylor is scheduled to play at Cincinnati on Wednesday. West Virginia could face a challenging matchup at Colorado on Wednesday. How these teams respond to Sunday’s outcomes may influence their strategies and performance in the coming weeks. A possible next step for both teams is to analyze their game footage to identify areas for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was West Virginia 70, Baylor 60.
Who led West Virginia in scoring?
Kierra Wheeler and Jordan Harrison both led West Virginia with 18 points each.
What is next for Baylor?
Baylor will play at Cincinnati on Wednesday.
How will Baylor adjust its offensive strategy after shooting only 30% from the field in this game?
