No. 2 Lady Bears open conference with win over TCU

The No. 2 Lady Bears gave TCU a tough welcome to the Big 12 tonight with a smashing 74-35 victory over the Horned Frogs as both teams opened conference play.

The 7,394 fans in attendance set a record for the largest crowd to see a TCU basketball game – men’s or women’s – in school history.

While shooting 47.7 percent from the field, Baylor was able to hold TCU to just a 21 shooting percentage. Britney Griner recorded a double-double (24 points and 12 rebounds), including a dunk and a 6-0 individual run during the first half.

Following Griner was Odyssey Sims with 14 points for Baylor and Brooklyn Pope with 12, compared to TCU’s top scorers – Donielle Breaux and Natalie Ventress – who each had only seven points.

Things looked good for the Horned Frogs as they claimed a 7-5 lead nearly five minutes into the game. But the Lady Bears used their effective defense to go on a 20-0 run, with all but six of the points coming off turnovers. Baylor held a dominating 40-11 lead at the half.

Sims and Pope led the Baylor defense with three steals each on the night. Jordan Madden followed with two.

TCU only had 11 points in the first half, tying for the second-fewest in school history.

The Lady Bears return home to Waco to face Oklahoma State on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. CT.