WACO, Texas — In an impressive performance, Aaronette Vonleh contributed significantly to Baylor’s triumph over West Virginia, finishing the game with 21 points, including 15 in the second half. Bella Fontleroy also made an impact with 15 points, hitting four shots from beyond the arc as the 25th-ranked Bears defeated the 18th-ranked Mountaineers, 75-65, on Tuesday evening.

Baylor established a clear advantage, maintaining a double-digit lead for the initial six minutes of the fourth quarter. However, West Virginia made a concerted effort to close the gap, scoring six consecutive points to bring the score to 70-61 with just over three minutes left in the game. In response, Jada Walker delivered a crucial three-point play, followed by additional scoring that solidified Baylor’s lead at 75-61 with 2:18 remaining.

In addition to Vonleh’s standout performance, Darianna Littlepage-Buggs contributed nine points along with a remarkable tally of 13 rebounds and seven assists. Sarah Andrews also played a pivotal role, scoring 12 points and providing seven assists. Walker’s scoring burst in the second half accounted for 11 of her 13 total points.

On the opposing side, Jordan Harrison was the top scorer for West Virginia, finishing with 20 points. JJ Quinerly, who typically averages 19 points per game, added 17 points to the team’s efforts.

Andrews made a significant three-pointer with just 44 seconds left in the first half, pushing Baylor’s lead to 36-26. The largest gap of the game for the Bears occurred late in the third quarter when Vonleh scored to extend the lead to 50-34, showcasing Baylor’s dominance.

This victory marks a strong start for Baylor under coach Nicki Collen in conference play. As the team continues to perform well, they are set to face Texas Tech on Saturday, looking to build on their success.