Baylor Bears vs. No. 10/10 Iowa State Cyclones – Game Preview
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22/21 BAYLOR (12-3, 1-1 big 12) vs 10/10 IOWA STATE (14-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Jan. 4, 2026 • 2 p.m. CT
Ames, Iowa • Hilton Coliseum (14,267)
LIVE STATS: stat Broadcast
WATCH: ESPN
Talent: Eric Frede (pxp), Christy Thomaskutty (analyst)
LISTEN: Baylor Sports Media network via FOX Sports Radio 93.9FM in Central Texas and worldwide at centexsportsfan.com
Talent: Derek Smith (pxp), Lori Fogleman (analyst)
Baylor Bears
Location: waco, Texas
Conference/Affiliation: Big 12
Head Coach: Nicki Collen (marquette, 1998)
Roster | Stats | Game Notes (PDF)
Iowa State Cyclones
Location: Ames, Iowa
Conference/Affiliation: Big 12
Head Coach: Bill Fennelly (william Penn, 1979)
Baylor Bears Overcome 19-Point Deficit to Defeat Oklahoma State
The Baylor Bears mounted a remarkable comeback, outscoring Oklahoma State 36-8 over the final 11 minutes to secure a victory.Fueled by a dominant fourth quarter and key contributions from Jana van Gytenbeek, Taliah Scott, and Kayla Nelms, Baylor erased a 19-point deficit and ultimately prevailed.
Fourth Quarter Surge Seals the Win
Baylor’s victory was largely defined by a stunning fourth quarter performance. The bears outscored the Cowgirls 29-8, shooting an impressive 75% from the field while holding Oklahoma State to just 20%. This defensive pressure resulted in Oklahoma State being held scoreless for 7:34 and without a field goal for 7:54 in the final period, managing only a single 3-pointer in the last eight minutes.
Key Players Lead the Charge
Several Baylor players stepped up during the comeback. Jana Van Gytenbeek hit a crucial 3-pointer with 3:14 remaining to give Baylor the lead. In the fourth quarter alone, Van Gytenbeek, Taliah Scott, and Kayla Nelms each scored eight points. Nelms also contributed with four rebounds during the quarter, while Yuting Deng added two steals.
Game Summary
* Score: Baylor 19 pts (11:34) [+9]
* Comeback: Baylor outscored Oklahoma State 36-8 over the final 11 minutes.
* Turning Point: A 25-4 run propelled Baylor to take the lead.
* Defensive Dominance: Oklahoma State was held scoreless for over seven minutes in the fourth quarter.
* Shooting Performance: Baylor shot 75% in the fourth quarter, while Oklahoma state shot 20%.
Looking Ahead
This victory demonstrates the Baylor Bears’ resilience and ability to perform under pressure. The team will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season,showcasing the talent and teamwork that fueled this impressive comeback.