After dropping to No. 3, Lady Bears bounce back to blow past Liberty

The third ranked Lady Bears bounced back from a tough loss against Stanford in the Rainbow Wahine Classic last week and took advantage of turnovers tonight to record an easy 92-60 win over Liberty.

Guard Kimetria Hayden led Baylor with 18 points and recorded the game’s first seven points. She also recorded two steals, of Baylor’s five for the night, in the first five minutes. With Hayden’s help, the Lady Bears had grabbed a 20-point lead in less than seven and a half minutes.

Unfortunately for Liberty, their 21 turnovers by halftime led to 27 of Baylor’s points. The Lady Flames had more turnovers than points at halftime, giving Baylor a 53-18 lead.

Following Hayden in scoring was forward Brooklyn Pope with 13 points and center Brittney Griner with 11 points and four rebounds. Griner reached the 999-career point mark while playing only 20 minutes. Guard Jordan Madden had 10 points and led the team with seven steals. Point guard Odyssey Sims sat out her third consecutive game with a strained hamstring.

Liberty improved after the half, giving up only six turnovers, but still allowed Baylor to take a 50-point lead. Guard Devon Brown led the Lady Flames with 20 points.

Baylor takes on Rice in Houston on Tuesday night. This will be the Lady Bears’ last game before the national title rematch game at fifth-ranked Notre Dame on Dec. 5. -- Savannah Pullin