PROVO, Utah — Behind Lauren Gustin's 23 points, BYU women’s basketball upset No. 18 Baylor 78-66 on Wednesday evening at the Marriott Center for its first victory over a ranked opponent under head coach Amber Whiting.
"I'm proud of my women tonight," Whiting said. "They brought it, they were super focused and they most importantly believed in themselves and believed in each other, and that's what I've been preaching all week to them, because I feel like we've got to get over the hump, and it all comes down to them. We can't prepare them any more than we're doing. It comes down to players making plays, and they did tonight."
BYU's win over Baylor marked the first ranked win under Whiting, the first win over a team ranked 18th in the AP Poll and the first ranked win for the Cougars since Nov. 27, 2021, when BYU knocked off No. 22-ranked West Virginia to win the St. Pete Classic, 58-57.
The Cougars outshot the Bears 52.6% to 34.8% and outrebounded Baylor 45 to 32. BYU found success shooting from the 3-point line, converting eight of its 20 attempts.
Gustin recorded a team-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the floor, securing her nation-leading 22nd double-double of the season. It was also the senior's third time this season with a combined 20-plus points and 15-plus rebounds in a game.
Amari Whiting nearly notched the first triple-double in BYU women's basketball history but settled for 14 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Kailey Woolston recorded 14 points, going 6-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-3 from behind the arc. The freshman also recorded six boards, and assist and a steal in the win.
Emma Calvert also scored 14 points off the bench, shooting an efficient 6-of-8 from the floor and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. The junior also grabbed five rebounds and a steal.
First Quarter
The Cougars took an early 7-3 lead following a layup from Rose Bubakar in the paint and a 3-pointer from Whiting. Later in the quarter, another 3-pointer from Whiting extended BYU's lead to 12-7 before a media timeout was called with just under five minutes remaining in the quarter.
Following the timeout, the Cougars continued to extend their lead and led 16-9 after a jumper from Lauren Davenport. BYU closed the quarter on a 6-0 run, capped off by a corner 3-pointer made by Davenport, assisted by Whiting, to lead 22-11.
Winning the opening quarter is crucial for the Cougars' success as BYU is 10-1 this season when leading after the opening frame.
Second Quarter
The Cougars maintained their lead and led 28-18 following a made layup from Gustin, with 6:41 remaining in the half. A turn-around layup and another bucket in the paint for Gustin extended BYU's lead to 32-18 before the media timeout.
Gustin's fourth-straight score for the Cougars extended BYU's lead to 34-18 with just under two minutes remaining in the half before leading 35-21 at the break.
Shooting percentage defined BYU’s 14-point lead at the half. The Cougars outshot the Bears 45.2% to 22.6% through two-quarters of play and owned the glass, outrebounding Baylor 28-16 in the first half.
Gustin led BYU in scoring after the first half, with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor. Whiting shot a perfect 2-of-2 from the 3-point line, recording nine points heading into the locker room.
Third Quarter
The Bears opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer and a quick layup, trimming their deficit to 35-26. Woolston responded with a 3-pointer of her own, extending the Cougars' lead to 38-26.
Calvert sunk her first three of the game with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter, giving BYU a 45-33 advantage. The Cougars continued to find ways to score, extending their lead to 51-36 following another made bucket from Calvert.
Following a timeout, a made jumper and a 3-pointer from Calvert extended the Cougars' lead to 56-40. BYU continued to maintain its lead with a 59-46 advantage following a made 3-pointer from Bubakar to close out the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Woolston opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a triple, extending the Cougars' lead to 62-46.
A 6-0 run for Baylor trimmed its deficit to 62-52 before another made bucket from Woolston and two made free throws from Gustin put BYU ahead 66-52 with just under six minutes remaining in the game.
The Bears made a late push, cutting their deficit to 67-57 before Woolston nailed a long two, pushing the Cougars up 69-57.
Back-to-back buckets from Gustin and Whiting extended BYU's lead to 73-57 with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
The Cougars maintained their double-digit lead to close out the game, upsetting No. 18 Baylor, 78-66.
Up Next
BYU will hit the road to Cincinnati where it will face the Bearcats on Saturday at 10 a.m. MST. Watch the Cougars battle Cincinnati on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ or tune in to live play-by-play on BYU Radio 107.9FM/BYURadio.org/BYU Radio App.