Zach Smith
@byzachsmith.bsky.social
Baylor beat writer for the Waco Tribune-Herald • Email: zach.smith@wacotrib.com • Michigan State alum • Marathoner • Enthusiast
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.
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?
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.
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.
Baylor remains No. 17 in the AP Poll.
Texas stays at No. 1 for the second week in a row, and TCU jumps up two spots to No. 8.
My ballot:
Texas stays at No. 1 for the second week in a row, and TCU jumps up two spots to No. 8.
My ballot:
March 3, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Baylor remains No. 17 in the AP Poll.
Texas stays at No. 1 for the second week in a row, and TCU jumps up two spots to No. 8.
My ballot:
Texas stays at No. 1 for the second week in a row, and TCU jumps up two spots to No. 8.
My ballot:
Final: No. 10 TCU 51, No. 17 Baylor 48
Baylor's late fourth-quarter surge comes up short against the Horned Frogs.
The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will play their first game on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Kansas City.
Baylor's late fourth-quarter surge comes up short against the Horned Frogs.
The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will play their first game on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Kansas City.
March 3, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Final: No. 10 TCU 51, No. 17 Baylor 48
Baylor's late fourth-quarter surge comes up short against the Horned Frogs.
The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will play their first game on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Kansas City.
Baylor's late fourth-quarter surge comes up short against the Horned Frogs.
The Bears are the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will play their first game on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Kansas City.
Final: No. 17 Baylor 79, No. 14 Kansas State 62
-Aaronette Vonleh sets a season-high and is one point shy of her career-high with 24 pts. and sets a new career high with 12 rebs.
-Baylor hands K-State its first loss at home this season
-Sets up a Big 12 title game against TCU
-Aaronette Vonleh sets a season-high and is one point shy of her career-high with 24 pts. and sets a new career high with 12 rebs.
-Baylor hands K-State its first loss at home this season
-Sets up a Big 12 title game against TCU
February 25, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Final: No. 17 Baylor 79, No. 14 Kansas State 62
-Aaronette Vonleh sets a season-high and is one point shy of her career-high with 24 pts. and sets a new career high with 12 rebs.
-Baylor hands K-State its first loss at home this season
-Sets up a Big 12 title game against TCU
-Aaronette Vonleh sets a season-high and is one point shy of her career-high with 24 pts. and sets a new career high with 12 rebs.
-Baylor hands K-State its first loss at home this season
-Sets up a Big 12 title game against TCU
Baylor jumps up two spots to No. 17 in the AP Poll.
The Bears finish the regular season at No. 14 Kansas State and at home against No. 10 TCU.
Texas is No. 1 for the first time in 21 years.
My ballot:
The Bears finish the regular season at No. 14 Kansas State and at home against No. 10 TCU.
Texas is No. 1 for the first time in 21 years.
My ballot:
February 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Baylor jumps up two spots to No. 17 in the AP Poll.
The Bears finish the regular season at No. 14 Kansas State and at home against No. 10 TCU.
Texas is No. 1 for the first time in 21 years.
My ballot:
The Bears finish the regular season at No. 14 Kansas State and at home against No. 10 TCU.
Texas is No. 1 for the first time in 21 years.
My ballot:
Final: No. 19 Baylor 67, Iowa State 52
-Baylor wins its conference-best eighth game in a row and snaps a four-game losing streak to the Cyclones
-Four Bears score in double figures, led by Yaya Felder with 15 points
-Iowa State is held to its second-fewest points this season
-Baylor wins its conference-best eighth game in a row and snaps a four-game losing streak to the Cyclones
-Four Bears score in double figures, led by Yaya Felder with 15 points
-Iowa State is held to its second-fewest points this season
February 22, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Final: No. 19 Baylor 67, Iowa State 52
-Baylor wins its conference-best eighth game in a row and snaps a four-game losing streak to the Cyclones
-Four Bears score in double figures, led by Yaya Felder with 15 points
-Iowa State is held to its second-fewest points this season
-Baylor wins its conference-best eighth game in a row and snaps a four-game losing streak to the Cyclones
-Four Bears score in double figures, led by Yaya Felder with 15 points
-Iowa State is held to its second-fewest points this season
Baylor is looking to make it eight wins in a row today against Iowa State in the penultimate regular season game at Foster Pavilion.
February 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Baylor is looking to make it eight wins in a row today against Iowa State in the penultimate regular season game at Foster Pavilion.
Final: No. 9 TCU 80, No. 25 Baylor 75
A fourth-quarter comeback attempt falls short as the Bears' 37-game winning streak against the Horned Frogs comes to an end.
A fourth-quarter comeback attempt falls short as the Bears' 37-game winning streak against the Horned Frogs comes to an end.
January 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Final: No. 9 TCU 80, No. 25 Baylor 75
A fourth-quarter comeback attempt falls short as the Bears' 37-game winning streak against the Horned Frogs comes to an end.
A fourth-quarter comeback attempt falls short as the Bears' 37-game winning streak against the Horned Frogs comes to an end.
No. 25 Baylor faces its second-straight Top 10 opponent today in Fort Worth against No. 9 TCU.
The Bears have won the last 37 games against the Horned Frogs dating back to 1990.
This floor is making me dizzy.
The Bears have won the last 37 games against the Horned Frogs dating back to 1990.
This floor is making me dizzy.
January 26, 2025 at 7:15 PM
No. 25 Baylor faces its second-straight Top 10 opponent today in Fort Worth against No. 9 TCU.
The Bears have won the last 37 games against the Horned Frogs dating back to 1990.
This floor is making me dizzy.
The Bears have won the last 37 games against the Horned Frogs dating back to 1990.
This floor is making me dizzy.
Final: No. 1 UCLA 72, No. 25 Baylor 57
The Bears finish 19-69 (28%) from the floor and are outscored 42-20 by the Bruins in the paint.
Baylor returns to action at No. 9 TCU on Sunday.
The Bears finish 19-69 (28%) from the floor and are outscored 42-20 by the Bruins in the paint.
Baylor returns to action at No. 9 TCU on Sunday.
January 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Final: No. 1 UCLA 72, No. 25 Baylor 57
The Bears finish 19-69 (28%) from the floor and are outscored 42-20 by the Bruins in the paint.
Baylor returns to action at No. 9 TCU on Sunday.
The Bears finish 19-69 (28%) from the floor and are outscored 42-20 by the Bruins in the paint.
Baylor returns to action at No. 9 TCU on Sunday.
Baylor is ranked in the AP Poll once again, coming in at No. 25.
It’s a big week for the Bears, who face No. 1 UCLA today in New Jersey and No. 9 TCU Sunday in Fort Worth.
My ballot:
It’s a big week for the Bears, who face No. 1 UCLA today in New Jersey and No. 9 TCU Sunday in Fort Worth.
My ballot:
January 20, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Baylor is ranked in the AP Poll once again, coming in at No. 25.
It’s a big week for the Bears, who face No. 1 UCLA today in New Jersey and No. 9 TCU Sunday in Fort Worth.
My ballot:
It’s a big week for the Bears, who face No. 1 UCLA today in New Jersey and No. 9 TCU Sunday in Fort Worth.
My ballot:
Final: Baylor 70, Houston 51
The Bears travel to Newark, New Jersey, to take on undefeated No. 1 UCLA on Monday afternoon.
The Bears travel to Newark, New Jersey, to take on undefeated No. 1 UCLA on Monday afternoon.
January 18, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Final: Baylor 70, Houston 51
The Bears travel to Newark, New Jersey, to take on undefeated No. 1 UCLA on Monday afternoon.
The Bears travel to Newark, New Jersey, to take on undefeated No. 1 UCLA on Monday afternoon.
Baylor takes on Houston tonight at Foster Pavilion. This is the 50th all-time meeting between the Bears and Cougars.
January 17, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Baylor takes on Houston tonight at Foster Pavilion. This is the 50th all-time meeting between the Bears and Cougars.
Final: Baylor 70, No. 23 Utah 61
-Bella Fontleroy plays 40 minutes for the first time in her career and finishes with a double-double.
-Jada Walker gets her second double-double of the season.
-Baylor forces 21 turnovers from Utah, tied for its season high.
-Bella Fontleroy plays 40 minutes for the first time in her career and finishes with a double-double.
-Jada Walker gets her second double-double of the season.
-Baylor forces 21 turnovers from Utah, tied for its season high.
January 15, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Final: Baylor 70, No. 23 Utah 61
-Bella Fontleroy plays 40 minutes for the first time in her career and finishes with a double-double.
-Jada Walker gets her second double-double of the season.
-Baylor forces 21 turnovers from Utah, tied for its season high.
-Bella Fontleroy plays 40 minutes for the first time in her career and finishes with a double-double.
-Jada Walker gets her second double-double of the season.
-Baylor forces 21 turnovers from Utah, tied for its season high.
Baylor getting ready to face off against No. 23 Utah tonight at Foster Pavilion.
It’s the first game of the season against a ranked opponent for the Bears, who will be without leading scorer and rebounder Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
It’s the first game of the season against a ranked opponent for the Bears, who will be without leading scorer and rebounder Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
January 15, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Baylor getting ready to face off against No. 23 Utah tonight at Foster Pavilion.
It’s the first game of the season against a ranked opponent for the Bears, who will be without leading scorer and rebounder Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
It’s the first game of the season against a ranked opponent for the Bears, who will be without leading scorer and rebounder Darianna Littlepage-Buggs.
Oklahoma State is one of five Big 12 teams in the Women’s AP Poll this week and is ranked for the first time since 2018.
Baylor is receiving votes and hosts No. 23 Utah tomorrow.
My ballot, the most difficult of the season:
Baylor is receiving votes and hosts No. 23 Utah tomorrow.
My ballot, the most difficult of the season:
January 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Oklahoma State is one of five Big 12 teams in the Women’s AP Poll this week and is ranked for the first time since 2018.
Baylor is receiving votes and hosts No. 23 Utah tomorrow.
My ballot, the most difficult of the season:
Baylor is receiving votes and hosts No. 23 Utah tomorrow.
My ballot, the most difficult of the season:
Final: Baylor 78, Arizona State 59
-Baylor finishes with five players in double figures for the third straight game.
-Aliyah Matharu (14 pts., 4 rebs.) with the best game of her young Baylor career.
-The Bears grab 49 rebounds, tied for their third-most in a game this season.
-Baylor finishes with five players in double figures for the third straight game.
-Aliyah Matharu (14 pts., 4 rebs.) with the best game of her young Baylor career.
-The Bears grab 49 rebounds, tied for their third-most in a game this season.
January 12, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Final: Baylor 78, Arizona State 59
-Baylor finishes with five players in double figures for the third straight game.
-Aliyah Matharu (14 pts., 4 rebs.) with the best game of her young Baylor career.
-The Bears grab 49 rebounds, tied for their third-most in a game this season.
-Baylor finishes with five players in double figures for the third straight game.
-Aliyah Matharu (14 pts., 4 rebs.) with the best game of her young Baylor career.
-The Bears grab 49 rebounds, tied for their third-most in a game this season.
Ohio State moves on.
January 11, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Ohio State moves on.
UCLA stays at No. 1, while Notre Dame jumps up five spots to No. 3 after a win over UConn.
No. 12 TCU, No. 13 Kansas State and No. 14 West Virginia are the three ranked Big 12 teams.
My ballot:
No. 12 TCU, No. 13 Kansas State and No. 14 West Virginia are the three ranked Big 12 teams.
My ballot:
December 16, 2024 at 5:13 PM
UCLA stays at No. 1, while Notre Dame jumps up five spots to No. 3 after a win over UConn.
No. 12 TCU, No. 13 Kansas State and No. 14 West Virginia are the three ranked Big 12 teams.
My ballot:
No. 12 TCU, No. 13 Kansas State and No. 14 West Virginia are the three ranked Big 12 teams.
My ballot:
Final: Baylor 71, UNLV 64
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs grabs a career-high 20 rebounds and leads the Bears with 21 points for her sixth double-double in 11 games.
Baylor has a 10-day break before hosting Utah Tech on Dec. 18.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs grabs a career-high 20 rebounds and leads the Bears with 21 points for her sixth double-double in 11 games.
Baylor has a 10-day break before hosting Utah Tech on Dec. 18.
December 8, 2024 at 10:07 PM
Final: Baylor 71, UNLV 64
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs grabs a career-high 20 rebounds and leads the Bears with 21 points for her sixth double-double in 11 games.
Baylor has a 10-day break before hosting Utah Tech on Dec. 18.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs grabs a career-high 20 rebounds and leads the Bears with 21 points for her sixth double-double in 11 games.
Baylor has a 10-day break before hosting Utah Tech on Dec. 18.
Baylor getting ready to take in UNLV in the penultimate game of the non-conference schedule.
December 8, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Baylor getting ready to take in UNLV in the penultimate game of the non-conference schedule.