BYU takes on Baylor in search of third straight win

PROVO, Utah — The Cougars look for their third consecutive win as they visit the Baylor Bears in Waco for a Feb. 8 matchup at Foster Pavilion. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT with the game streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast live on BYU Radio with Jason Shepherd on the call. 

Matchup Breakdown
BYU and Baylor last met on Feb. 7, 2024, when BYU knocked off the No. 18 Bears for the first-ranked win of Coach Amber Whiting's tenure.

The Cougars had four players finish in double figures in the upset win over Baylor including 23 from Lauren Gustin, and 14 points apiece from Amari Whiting, Emma Calvert and Kailey Woolston. Whiting also flirted with the first triple-double in BYU history as she recorded nine asssist, eight rebounds and two steals in the win. 

All-Time: 2-2

At Baylor: 0-1

Whiting vs. Baylor: 1-0

BYU Cougars  ||  12-10, 3-8  ||  Big 12 Conference

WHAT'S AT STAKE  ||  With a win, BYU would record back-to-back wins over the Bears and earn its first win in Waco. The Cougars would also record a second-straight win over a NET Top-20 Bears team after beating No. 18 Baylor – NET 17 – in Provo last season.

STEP INTO THE BARBER SHOP  ||  Kambree Barber excelled in her first-career start against Arizona State and continued her strong play against UCF. The freshman recorded seven points and 11 rebounds in the win over the Knights. Her 11 boards marked the second-straight game with at least 11 rebounds. Her 15-point, 12-rebound double-double against ASU earned her Big 12 Freshman of the Week honors on Feb. 3.

CONGDON'S CALMING PRESENCE  ||  Kemery Congdon is a senior leader for the Cougars and has provided a huge lift over the last five games. The fifth-year senior has scored 13 points on 45.1 percent shooting and a 50 percent clip from three. She is the second-leading scorer for the Cougars and records 2.2 assists per game.

COUGAR ASSIST CLUB  ||  BYU has assisted on 343-of-564 (.608) field goals this year and has had three or more players finish in double-figures in 15 of 22 games. In conference wins this season, BYU has assisted on 65 percent of all made field goals. In the last three games, the Cougars have assisted on 56-of-78 made field goals for a 71.7 percent assist rate.

VALUING THE BASKETBALL  ||  Ball security is crucial for BYU. In Big 12 play, the Cougars have committed 17.7 turnovers per game and opponents have scored 18.5 points off giveaways. In wins this season, BYU only coughs it up 14.1 times and surrenders 14.8 points off turnovers. In losses, BYU averages 18.7 giveaways and 18.4 points given up.

FINISHING POSSESSIONS  ||  Crashing the defensive glass has been a point of emphasis for Whiting’s squad. BYU has given up 11.4 offensive boards and 13.7 second-chance points in Big 12 games. In their two conference wins over Houston and ASU, BYU only surrendered 10.5 offensive boards and 10.5 second-chance points. 

Head Coach – Amber Whiting

• Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
• Division I Career Record: 44-44  ||  3rd Season
• Record at BYU: 44-44  ||  3rd Season

Baylor Bears  ||  19-5, 9-2  ||  Big 12 Conference

CRASHING THE GLASS  ||  Baylor ranks first in the Big 12 in total rebounding at 43.46 rebounds per game, first in rebounding margin (+10.9) and first in offensive rebounds per contest at 14.4 per game. The Cougars have struggled on the defensive glass in conference play, surrendering 11.5 offensive boards per game to opponents and 13.6 second-chance points.

SCORING IN DROVES  ||  Baylor has six players that average 10 points or more per game making the Bears a difficult guard for any team. Baylor boasts the 16th-best scoring offense in the country and second in the conference at 80.7 points per game.

The Bears have scored over 80 points in 11 games this season while the Cougars have only eclipsed the 80-point threshold three times, in wins over McNeese, UTEP and Houston. During the Bears' current three-game win streak, Baylor is averaging 88.3 points per game. 

SHARING THE ROCK  ||  Sarah Andrews and Jada Walker each average over 5.2 assists per game for the Bears with each boasting an assist-to-turnover ratio over 2.2-to-1.

Walker leads Baylor in assists at 5.58 per contest to go along with 11 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. The senior guard also shoots 43.7 percent from the floor and 38.6 percent from behind the arc.

Andrews, a fifth-year senior scores 11.3 points per game on 36 percent shooting from the floor and 35.7 percent from three. The veteran guard also grabs 3.4 boards and records 1.3 steals per game.

Head Coach – Nikki Collen

• Alma Mater: Marquette
• Career Record: 93-33  ||  4th Season
• Record at Baylor: 93-33  ||  4th Season