Sweet Victory: Baylor Women’s Basketball Obliterates Langston
By Jerry Hill, Baylor Bear Insider
Waco, Texas – A Night to Remember
Talk about a game that gets your heart racing! The 12th-ranked Baylor women’s basketball team came out swinging like a heavyweight champ in their exhibition match against Langston. The scoreboard might as well have been a fancy cat poster — you know the one with tabs. You just wanted to breathe it in and leave it there! A colossal 100-39 victory surely sets the tone for what looks to be a season of ‘Bear-y’ good times ahead!
Star Performers
Leading the charge were the dynamic duo of Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy, combining for a jaw-dropping 41 points. I mean, at this point, can we just call them the ‘Two-Headed Bear Monster’? Littlepage-Buggs notched up 25 points and 11 rebounds, while Fontleroy, dubbed ‘Fourth-Quarter Fontleroy’ by none other than Coach Nicki Collen, saved her strength for the second half, scoring all her points after a bit of a ‘slow burn’ in the first quarter.
As Coach Collen rightfully quipped, “Buggs was a rock star all night long!” And with that little embellishment, you can almost picture them gracing the magazine covers. If we could only get a daytime soap-opera theme song to play while they racked up points!
The Gameplay Breakdown
The game kicked off with a fervent 11-0 run for Baylor that had everyone in attendance wondering if Langston knew it was actually a basketball game and not an audition for ‘Survivor.’ The bears stretched their lead to 27-6 after the first quarter, leaving the Lady Lions contemplating who they’d wronged in a past life to deserve such a start.
With the crowd chanting, “We want 100,” it became evident that Baylor wasn’t just planning on winning; they were intent on making a feast of this opportunity. And they didn’t disappoint! Freshman Kayla Nelms knocked down a three-point play to seal the deal with a bucket and free throw, echoing the inevitable “100” in the score column as if it were part of a magic act.
Statistical Nuggets
Baylor had an impressive shooting percentage of 58.8% from the floor, which feels like the basketball equivalent of a fine wine: smooth, rich, and leaving you craving more. Langston, on the other hand, had their own hard truths to come to terms with, including a staggeringly unfortunate 27 turnovers. Now, that’s the kind of statistic that could turn heads in a crowded bar!
The Road Ahead
Coming off a stellar 26-8 season and a Sweet 16 berth, Baylor heads into the regular season with their sights set firmly on the prize. They’ll face Incarnate Word on Thursday at 7 p.m. before crashing into Oregon next Sunday at 9 p.m. CT. Will they maintain their momentum, or will the ‘Bears of Mayhem’ meet their match? Stay tuned to find out!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if this exhibition is anything to judge by, the Baylor women are here to make waves! Will they keep the thundering herd alive all season long? We’re counting on it—because after a dominant performance like this, even the skeptics can’t help but be converted. Baylor, we salute you!
By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
WACO, Texas – In a dazzling display of skill and teamwork, the 12th-ranked Baylor women’s basketball team overwhelmed Langston University, securing a staggering 100-39 victory during their exhibition match at the Foster Pavilion on Sunday. Contributors to this commanding win included returners Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy, who impressively combined for 41 points.
Littlepage-Buggs achieved a remarkable double-double, racking up 25 points along with 11 rebounds. After a quiet first quarter, Fontleroy came alive, scoring all 16 of her points in the subsequent three quarters. On top of this, three additional players entered double-figure scoring, including Colorado transfer Aaronette Vonleh, who demonstrated her efficiency with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
“I thought Buggs was a rock star all night long,” remarked fourth-year head coach Nicki Collen. “Bella, we used to call her Fourth-Quarter Fontleroy. She tends to work her way into a game and get better as the game goes along. And I thought that’s what happened tonight. She was where she was supposed to be, she defended, she rebounded, she took charges, as usual. I thought those two set the tone for us.”
The Bears kicked off the game with an explosive 11-0 run, featuring a dynamic three-point play by Vonleh and a long-range bomb from Sarah Andrews, who ended the game with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Langston found themselves in a rut early on, trailing 17-2 at the media timeout and ending the first quarter down by a steep 27-6 margin.
Littlepage-Buggs hit a remarkable six of her first seven shots, contributing 15 of her game-high 25 points in a dominating first half, where Baylor led 50-13 at the break.
Responding to the crowd’s enthusiastic chants of “We want 100,” the Bears met their fans’ wishes as freshman Kayla Nelms sealed the game with a three-point play, scoring the final points with a bucket and free throw with just 1:17 remaining. In addition to this, guards Jana Van Gytenbeek and Jada Walker contributed 11 and 10 points respectively, while both Nelms and Yaya Fielder added 7 points each to the scoreboard.
Koreea Kirksey emerged as the leading scorer for Langston with 13 points, albeit with four of the Lady Lions’ 27 turnovers. Baylor showcased their offensive prowess, shooting an impressive 58.8% from the floor, including a solid 35% from beyond the arc.
With this victory, the Baylor Lady Bears look to build on their previous season’s success, which saw them finish with a strong 26-8 record and an appearance in the Sweet 16, a milestone not achieved in three years. The team is set to kick off its regular season against Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. on Thursday, followed by an anticipated matchup against Oregon at 9 p.m. CT next Sunday in Eugene.
**Interview with Coach Nicki Collen on Baylor Women’s Basketball Dominance**
**Interviewer**: Thanks for joining us, Coach Collen. Congratulations on that stunning 100-39 victory over Langston! How does it feel to start the season with such a commanding performance?
**Coach Nicki Collen**: Thank you! It feels incredible. The energy in the arena was electric, and our girls came out with a level of intensity that set the tone early. I’m proud of how they executed our game plan.
**Interviewer**: Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy had an outstanding game, combining for 41 points. Can you tell us more about their performance and what makes them such a dynamic duo?
**Coach Nicki Collen**: Absolutely! Darianna was a rock star. She consistently makes those key plays and grabs rebounds at crucial moments. Bella, on the other hand, has this unique ability to feel her way into a game and then just explode. That’s how she earned the nickname “Fourth-Quarter Fontleroy.” They complement each other beautifully, and when they’re both on their game, it’s hard for any opponent to keep up.
**Interviewer**: The game started with an impressive 11-0 run. How important is it to establish that early dominance, and what do you think made the difference in those first moments?
**Coach Nicki Collen**: It’s crucial! Setting the tone early can really demoralize the opposition. We worked hard in training to stress quick starts, and the girls executed perfectly. I think that momentum was key in keeping Langston from gaining confidence.
**Interviewer**: Baylor shot an impressive 58.8% from the floor. How much do shooting percentages play into your team’s strategy, and what are your expectations moving forward?
**Coach Nicki Collen**: Shooting percentage is huge for us. It reflects our efficiency and upholds our philosophy of making smart, quick decisions. We strive for that high percentage, but it also ties back to the quality of our ball movement and shot selection. As we move forward, maintaining that level of execution will be critical against tougher opponents.
**Interviewer**: With the upcoming match against Incarnate Word, what will you focus on during practice this week to maintain that winning momentum?
**Coach Nicki Collen**: We’ll be focusing on maintaining our intensity and consistency. While it’s great to start strong, we need to ensure we don’t let off the gas. Defense and communication are key areas we’ll hone in on, as those will be tested more in the upcoming games.
**Interviewer**: what message do you have for Baylor fans as we embark on this new season?
**Coach Nicki Collen**: I just want to say thank you for their unwavering support. Our fans bring incredible energy, and we’re excited to have them with us as we pursue another successful season. We hope to keep giving them thrilling performances like the one against Langston!
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Coach Collen. Best of luck in the upcoming games!
**Coach Nicki Collen**: Thank you! We’re ready to work hard and continue our journey!
