Kierra Wheeler: West Virginia Upsets Baylor | Women’s College Basketball

West Virginia Upsets No. 14 Baylor, 70-60, in Big 12 Showdown

A dominant performance by Kierra Wheeler and Jordan Harrison propelled No. 22 West Virginia to a 70-60 victory over No. 14 Baylor on Sunday, shaking up the Big 12 standings. The win for the Mountaineers came on a day of shifting fortunes in the conference, as a later result kept Baylor from falling out of contention for the league title.

The Mountaineers’ victory was a significant upset, as Baylor entered the game ranked higher and with a strong record. The loss initially threatened to knock baylor out of first place in the Big 12, but a subsequent victory by No. 21 Texas Tech over No. 12 TCU kept the Lady Bears tied for the top spot with TCU.

Did you know? – West Virginia’s win marked their first against a ranked Baylor team as February 2021. The Mountaineers had lost the previous four matchups against the Lady Bears when Baylor was in the AP Top 25.

Mountaineers Control the Game with rebounding and Defense

West Virginia (18-5, 8-3 Big 12) established control early, capitalizing on Baylor turnovers to build a lead. Wheeler lead the charge with 18 points and an notable 15 rebounds, while Harrison matched her scoring output with 18 points of her own. The Mountaineers’ defensive intensity was especially evident in the third quarter, where they limited Baylor to just three field goals.

“We really focused on boxing out and limiting their second-chance opportunities,” a senior official stated. “That was a key to our success today.”

Baylor’s Struggles and a Late Push

Baylor (19-4, 8-2 Big 12) faced shooting woes throughout the game, finishing with a dismal 30% field goal percentage despite converting 27 of 32 free throw attempts. Taliah Scott and Bella Fontleroy were nearly perfect from the line, each sinking 9 of 10 attempts.

The Lady Bears attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, fueled by a 3-pointer from Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and free throws from Scott and Fontleroy, narrowing the deficit to 53-48. However, West Virginia responded with crucial baskets from Sydney Shaw and Gia Cooke, extending their lead back to double digits.

Pro tip – Effective rebounding is crucial in women’s basketball. West Virginia’s 41 rebounds compared to Baylor’s 31 significantly contributed to their control of the game and limited second-chance points for the Lady Bears.

Key Moments Seal the Victory

A 3-pointer by Shaw late in the third quarter ignited the Mountaineers’ surge, giving them a 47-33 advantage. Cooke followed up with a layup a minute later, pushing the lead to 60-49. Baylor struggled mightily down the stretch, going 1-for-11 from the field while relying heavily on free throws.

Fifteen of West Virginia’s first 23 points were directly attributable to Baylor turnovers, highlighting the Mountaineers’ opportunistic play.

Individual Performances Shine

Alongside Wheeler and Harrison, Cooke contributed 14 points and Shaw added 10 for West Virginia. For Baylor, Scott led the scoring with 18 points, followed by Fontleroy with 12.

Reader question – Do you think Baylor’s shooting struggles were a one-time occurrence, or a sign of a deeper issue for the Lady Bears as they head into the final stretch of the season?

Looking ahead, Baylor will travel to Cincinnati on Wednesday, while West Virginia will face Colorado on the same day.