Zach Smith
@byzachsmith.bsky.social
Baylor beat writer for the Waco Tribune-Herald • Email: zach.smith@wacotrib.com • Michigan State alum • Marathoner • Enthusiast
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Zach Smith
@byzachsmith.bsky.social
· Mar 1
Forever loyal: Sarah Andrews leaving legacy of commitment, tenacity at Baylor
Sarah Andrews will go down as one of the all-time greats at Baylor, with school records in 3-pointers — and soon, games played when the Bears host TCU on Sunday.
wacotrib.com
Sarah Andrews has been incredibly loyal throughout her storied basketball career.
To her family. To Baylor. To herself.
Seven numbers have been retired or honored in Baylor's 50-year history. Eventually, No. 24 might deserve to be the eighth. wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
To her family. To Baylor. To herself.
Seven numbers have been retired or honored in Baylor's 50-year history. Eventually, No. 24 might deserve to be the eighth. wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Aaronette Vonleh came to Baylor to play on the biggest stage.
She had a career night against Oklahoma State to send the Bears to the Big 12 title game.
"We’re playing for a championship, and I know that we have what it takes on our team to win a ring." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
She had a career night against Oklahoma State to send the Bears to the Big 12 title game.
"We’re playing for a championship, and I know that we have what it takes on our team to win a ring." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Vonleh's career night powers Baylor past Oklahoma State, into Big 12 title game
Aaronette Vonleh scored a career-high 37 points to lead Baylor past Oklahoma State in the semifinals and set up a showdown against top-seeded TCU in the Big 12 title game.
wacotrib.com
March 9, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Aaronette Vonleh came to Baylor to play on the biggest stage.
She had a career night against Oklahoma State to send the Bears to the Big 12 title game.
"We’re playing for a championship, and I know that we have what it takes on our team to win a ring." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
She had a career night against Oklahoma State to send the Bears to the Big 12 title game.
"We’re playing for a championship, and I know that we have what it takes on our team to win a ring." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Final/OT: Baylor 84, Oklahoma State 74
Aaronette Vonleh scores a career-high 37 points as the Bears avenge their lopsided loss to the Cowgirls earlier this season.
Baylor will face off against TCU Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Big 12 Championship.
Aaronette Vonleh scores a career-high 37 points as the Bears avenge their lopsided loss to the Cowgirls earlier this season.
Baylor will face off against TCU Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Big 12 Championship.
March 9, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Final/OT: Baylor 84, Oklahoma State 74
Aaronette Vonleh scores a career-high 37 points as the Bears avenge their lopsided loss to the Cowgirls earlier this season.
Baylor will face off against TCU Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Big 12 Championship.
Aaronette Vonleh scores a career-high 37 points as the Bears avenge their lopsided loss to the Cowgirls earlier this season.
Baylor will face off against TCU Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Big 12 Championship.
End of regulation: Baylor 66, Oklahoma State 66
Sarah Andrews had a look at the buzzer, but can't connect.
Sarah Andrews had a look at the buzzer, but can't connect.
March 9, 2025 at 1:27 AM
End of regulation: Baylor 66, Oklahoma State 66
Sarah Andrews had a look at the buzzer, but can't connect.
Sarah Andrews had a look at the buzzer, but can't connect.
Don't get me wrong, Baylor and Oklahoma State are playing VERY physically. But some of these whistles....
The Bears and Cowgirls are tied 66-66 with 1:09 left.
The Bears and Cowgirls are tied 66-66 with 1:09 left.
March 9, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Don't get me wrong, Baylor and Oklahoma State are playing VERY physically. But some of these whistles....
The Bears and Cowgirls are tied 66-66 with 1:09 left.
The Bears and Cowgirls are tied 66-66 with 1:09 left.
Baylor has gone nearly five minutes without a point, and Oklahoma State is on a 5-0 run to take a 57-56 lead with 5:00 left.
Bella Fontelroy has fouled out for the Bears.
Bella Fontelroy has fouled out for the Bears.
March 9, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Baylor has gone nearly five minutes without a point, and Oklahoma State is on a 5-0 run to take a 57-56 lead with 5:00 left.
Bella Fontelroy has fouled out for the Bears.
Bella Fontelroy has fouled out for the Bears.
End of the third quarter: Baylor 54, Oklahoma State 52
Aaronette Vonleh has a career-high 27 points.
Micah Gray hit three 3-pointers late in the quarter to keep the Cowgirls close.
Aaronette Vonleh has a career-high 27 points.
Micah Gray hit three 3-pointers late in the quarter to keep the Cowgirls close.
March 9, 2025 at 12:58 AM
End of the third quarter: Baylor 54, Oklahoma State 52
Aaronette Vonleh has a career-high 27 points.
Micah Gray hit three 3-pointers late in the quarter to keep the Cowgirls close.
Aaronette Vonleh has a career-high 27 points.
Micah Gray hit three 3-pointers late in the quarter to keep the Cowgirls close.
Waiata Jennings has been playing some lockdown defense, and then she hits a 3-pointer for her first points of the game.
She has the best +/- of the game for Baylor at +13.
She has the best +/- of the game for Baylor at +13.
March 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Waiata Jennings has been playing some lockdown defense, and then she hits a 3-pointer for her first points of the game.
She has the best +/- of the game for Baylor at +13.
She has the best +/- of the game for Baylor at +13.
Halftime: Baylor 32, Oklahoma State 29
Aaronette Vonleh with nine points and four rebounds (and just one foul) for the Bears, who outscored the Cowgirls 20-10 in the second quarter.
Aaronette Vonleh with nine points and four rebounds (and just one foul) for the Bears, who outscored the Cowgirls 20-10 in the second quarter.
March 9, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Halftime: Baylor 32, Oklahoma State 29
Aaronette Vonleh with nine points and four rebounds (and just one foul) for the Bears, who outscored the Cowgirls 20-10 in the second quarter.
Aaronette Vonleh with nine points and four rebounds (and just one foul) for the Bears, who outscored the Cowgirls 20-10 in the second quarter.
Baylor is feeding Aaronette Vonleh, who has nine points midway through the second quarter and 13 in the game. Oklahoma State leads 25-23 with 4:56 left in Q2.
March 9, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Baylor is feeding Aaronette Vonleh, who has nine points midway through the second quarter and 13 in the game. Oklahoma State leads 25-23 with 4:56 left in Q2.
End of the first quarter: Oklahoma State 19, Baylor 12
The Bears recover slightly after a slow start and start to show some signs of good defense down the stretch. Yaya Felder and Aaronette Vonleh both had four points.
Stailee Heard had 11 of the Cowgirls' 19 points.
The Bears recover slightly after a slow start and start to show some signs of good defense down the stretch. Yaya Felder and Aaronette Vonleh both had four points.
Stailee Heard had 11 of the Cowgirls' 19 points.
March 8, 2025 at 11:53 PM
End of the first quarter: Oklahoma State 19, Baylor 12
The Bears recover slightly after a slow start and start to show some signs of good defense down the stretch. Yaya Felder and Aaronette Vonleh both had four points.
Stailee Heard had 11 of the Cowgirls' 19 points.
The Bears recover slightly after a slow start and start to show some signs of good defense down the stretch. Yaya Felder and Aaronette Vonleh both had four points.
Stailee Heard had 11 of the Cowgirls' 19 points.
Baylor is off to a horrible start early on against Oklahoma State.
The Bears miss their first four shots to start the game, while the Cowgirls kick things off with a 7-0 run over the first two minutes
The Bears miss their first four shots to start the game, while the Cowgirls kick things off with a 7-0 run over the first two minutes
March 8, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Baylor is off to a horrible start early on against Oklahoma State.
The Bears miss their first four shots to start the game, while the Cowgirls kick things off with a 7-0 run over the first two minutes
The Bears miss their first four shots to start the game, while the Cowgirls kick things off with a 7-0 run over the first two minutes
Starters for Baylor against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals:
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
March 8, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Starters for Baylor against Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals:
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
The only time Baylor faced Oklahoma State during the regular season, the Cowgirls beat the Bears by 23 points, the worst loss of Nicki Collen’s Baylor tenure.
Will things change today in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals?
Will things change today in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals?
March 8, 2025 at 11:20 PM
The only time Baylor faced Oklahoma State during the regular season, the Cowgirls beat the Bears by 23 points, the worst loss of Nicki Collen’s Baylor tenure.
Will things change today in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals?
Will things change today in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals?
Jada Walker is glad it's March.
She came up clutch for Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals against Iowa State to help the Bears rally late and beat the Cyclones.
"There's something that just kicks in when it’s win or go home." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
She came up clutch for Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals against Iowa State to help the Bears rally late and beat the Cyclones.
"There's something that just kicks in when it’s win or go home." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Collen gets win No. 100 as Baylor rallies to down Iowa State at Big 12 Tournament
Nicki Collen won her 100th game as Baylor coach as the Bears rallied late to beat Iowa State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament Friday in Kansas City.
wacotrib.com
March 8, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Jada Walker is glad it's March.
She came up clutch for Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals against Iowa State to help the Bears rally late and beat the Cyclones.
"There's something that just kicks in when it’s win or go home." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
She came up clutch for Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals against Iowa State to help the Bears rally late and beat the Cyclones.
"There's something that just kicks in when it’s win or go home." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Final: Baylor 69, Iowa State 63
The Bears hold on to snap their two-game losing streak to the Cyclones in the Big 12 Tournament.
They will face either Oklahoma State or Texas Tech in the semifinals on Saturday.
The Bears hold on to snap their two-game losing streak to the Cyclones in the Big 12 Tournament.
They will face either Oklahoma State or Texas Tech in the semifinals on Saturday.
March 8, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Final: Baylor 69, Iowa State 63
The Bears hold on to snap their two-game losing streak to the Cyclones in the Big 12 Tournament.
They will face either Oklahoma State or Texas Tech in the semifinals on Saturday.
The Bears hold on to snap their two-game losing streak to the Cyclones in the Big 12 Tournament.
They will face either Oklahoma State or Texas Tech in the semifinals on Saturday.
Arianna Jackson hits Iowa State's second 3-pointer of the game to give Iowa State its first lead of the game at 59-58 with 5:18 left in Q4.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
March 8, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Arianna Jackson hits Iowa State's second 3-pointer of the game to give Iowa State its first lead of the game at 59-58 with 5:18 left in Q4.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
Arianna Jackson hits Iowa State's second 3-pointer of the game to give Iowa State its first lead of the game at 59-58 with 5:18 left in Q4.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
March 8, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Arianna Jackson hits Iowa State's second 3-pointer of the game to give Iowa State its first lead of the game at 59-58 with 5:18 left in Q4.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
Baylor hasn't scored for more than two and a half minutes.
End of the third quarter: Baylor 55, Iowa State 52
Bella Fontleroy scored six points in the quarter for the Bears. She and Aliyah Matharu were both 4-4 at the FT line.
Baylor is +23 when Aaronette Vonleh is on the floor. She sat for most of the third quarter with three fouls.
Bella Fontleroy scored six points in the quarter for the Bears. She and Aliyah Matharu were both 4-4 at the FT line.
Baylor is +23 when Aaronette Vonleh is on the floor. She sat for most of the third quarter with three fouls.
March 8, 2025 at 12:59 AM
End of the third quarter: Baylor 55, Iowa State 52
Bella Fontleroy scored six points in the quarter for the Bears. She and Aliyah Matharu were both 4-4 at the FT line.
Baylor is +23 when Aaronette Vonleh is on the floor. She sat for most of the third quarter with three fouls.
Bella Fontleroy scored six points in the quarter for the Bears. She and Aliyah Matharu were both 4-4 at the FT line.
Baylor is +23 when Aaronette Vonleh is on the floor. She sat for most of the third quarter with three fouls.
Halftime: Baylor 38, Iowa State 33
The Cyclones finished the half on a 9-0 run to cut what was as much as a 14-point Baylor lead to five points.
Jada Walker has 10 points, three assists and three rebounds for the Bears.
The Cyclones finished the half on a 9-0 run to cut what was as much as a 14-point Baylor lead to five points.
Jada Walker has 10 points, three assists and three rebounds for the Bears.
March 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Halftime: Baylor 38, Iowa State 33
The Cyclones finished the half on a 9-0 run to cut what was as much as a 14-point Baylor lead to five points.
Jada Walker has 10 points, three assists and three rebounds for the Bears.
The Cyclones finished the half on a 9-0 run to cut what was as much as a 14-point Baylor lead to five points.
Jada Walker has 10 points, three assists and three rebounds for the Bears.
Just like it was a few weeks ago, the battle between Aaronette Vonleh and Audi Crooks is absolute must-watch stuff.
Baylor leads Iowa State 31-22 with 5:00 left in Q2.
Baylor leads Iowa State 31-22 with 5:00 left in Q2.
March 8, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Just like it was a few weeks ago, the battle between Aaronette Vonleh and Audi Crooks is absolute must-watch stuff.
Baylor leads Iowa State 31-22 with 5:00 left in Q2.
Baylor leads Iowa State 31-22 with 5:00 left in Q2.
End of the first quarter: Baylor 22, Iowa State 17
The Cyclones ended the quarter on a 9-0 run.
Audi Crooks is having her way against any Baylor player not named Aaronette Vonleh. She has 11 of the Cyclones' 22 points.
The Cyclones ended the quarter on a 9-0 run.
Audi Crooks is having her way against any Baylor player not named Aaronette Vonleh. She has 11 of the Cyclones' 22 points.
March 7, 2025 at 11:52 PM
End of the first quarter: Baylor 22, Iowa State 17
The Cyclones ended the quarter on a 9-0 run.
Audi Crooks is having her way against any Baylor player not named Aaronette Vonleh. She has 11 of the Cyclones' 22 points.
The Cyclones ended the quarter on a 9-0 run.
Audi Crooks is having her way against any Baylor player not named Aaronette Vonleh. She has 11 of the Cyclones' 22 points.
Baylor could not ask for a better start against Iowa State, as Sarah Andrews and Bella Fontleroy have both hit 3-pointers and the Bears are on a 10-0 run.
The Cyclones have three turnovers in the first two minutes.
The Cyclones have three turnovers in the first two minutes.
March 7, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Baylor could not ask for a better start against Iowa State, as Sarah Andrews and Bella Fontleroy have both hit 3-pointers and the Bears are on a 10-0 run.
The Cyclones have three turnovers in the first two minutes.
The Cyclones have three turnovers in the first two minutes.
Starters for No. 2-seed Baylor against No. 7-seed Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals:
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
March 7, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Starters for No. 2-seed Baylor against No. 7-seed Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals:
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
G | Jada Walker
G | Sarah Andrews
G | Yaya Felder
F | Bella Fontleroy
C | Aaronette Vonleh
Baylor will be without Darianna Littlepage-Buggs at the Big 12 Tournament.
Waiata Jennings has stepped up in her absence and pretty much learned a new position on the fly.
"We’ve had to come together and not rely on certain people to do all of it." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Waiata Jennings has stepped up in her absence and pretty much learned a new position on the fly.
"We’ve had to come together and not rely on certain people to do all of it." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Waiata Jennings continuing to grow into unexpected role for injury-plagued Baylor
With Darianna Littlepage-Buggs sidelined for the Big 12 Tournament, players like Waiata Jennings will continue to see their roles increased as Baylor plays Iowa State tonight to open tourney play.
wacotrib.com
March 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Baylor will be without Darianna Littlepage-Buggs at the Big 12 Tournament.
Waiata Jennings has stepped up in her absence and pretty much learned a new position on the fly.
"We’ve had to come together and not rely on certain people to do all of it." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Waiata Jennings has stepped up in her absence and pretty much learned a new position on the fly.
"We’ve had to come together and not rely on certain people to do all of it." wacotrib.com/sports/colle...
Baylor beat Iowa State during the regular season this year, but the Cyclones have eliminated the Bears from the last two Big 12 Tournaments.
The quarterfinals tip off in under an hour.
The quarterfinals tip off in under an hour.
March 7, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Baylor beat Iowa State during the regular season this year, but the Cyclones have eliminated the Bears from the last two Big 12 Tournaments.
The quarterfinals tip off in under an hour.
The quarterfinals tip off in under an hour.