WVU Women’s Basketball Falls to No. 18 Baylor 65-58

WVU Women’s Basketball saw their seven game Big 12 winning streak come to an end on Saturday, as their comeback attempt failed in a 65-58 loss at No. 18 Baylor.

The Bears counted No. 22 West Virginia’s aggressive full court press with quick passes, opening up prime scoring opportunities from beyond the arc. Baylor turned the ball over just 19 times, only the second time this season that West Virginia didn’t force at least 2o turnovers.

The Mountaineers, meanwhile, suffered through one of their worst shooting games of the season, making just 22 percent of field goal attempts—including 5 of 23 from three. Kyah Watson posted a double-double with a career-high 15 rebounds.

Mountaineers’ star shooting guard JJ Quinerly found herself in foul trouble early, picking up two whistles in 45 seconds that forced her to sit for more than seven minutes of game time. West Virginia managed to survive her absence, trailing 17-13 when Quinerly subbed back in early in the second period, but Baylor forced a scoring draught that lasted more than four minutes as they took a double digit lead.

Missed Opportunities for the Mountaineers

Lauren Fields sank a three point shot with 1:31 remaining in the half to cut the deficit to seven, but Baylor’s Dre’una Edwards responded with a triple of her own to quash a potential rally. Fields drew a shooting foul at the buzzer, but missed both of her free throw attempts.

Jordan Harrison closed the gap to 34-29 out of the break with an and one, but the Mountaineers managed just two field goals through the rest of the third period. Five made free throws helped the game from spiraling out of hand, giving West Virginia a fighting chance heading into the last ten minutes… but Baylor managed to go blow for blow with each Mountaineers’ possession.

Quinerly notched two steals in a span of ten seconds during the final minute, giving the Mountaineers a chance to make it a one possession game, but West Virginia couldn’t come up with a decisive basket.

WVU Women’s Basketball moves to 20-3 on the season (9-3 Big 12). Their Texas road trip continues on Tuesday, February 13, when they take on the TCU Horned Frogs at 7:30 p.m.