The Texas women’s basketball team found its way back to the Big 12 championship game for the second straight season. And, for second year in a row, the Longhorns match up against the Bears for bragging rights.
After earning a bye as the No. 2 seed, Texas beat Kansas in the second round and West Virginia in the semifinals. Senior guard Celina Rodrigo led Texas in scoring against Kansas and West Virginia with 13 points and 12 points, respectively.
Baylor, as the No. 1 seed, beat Texas Tech and Oklahoma to find its way back to the championship game for the sixth straight season, having won the previous five. The Bears won the regular-season title with a 17-1 conference record.
Tonight’s matchup features nine players who received All-Big 12 recognition. Three Bears earned All-Big 12 First Team honors: Nina Davis, Niya Johnson and Alexis Jones. Two Longhorns achieved first team honors, Imani Boyette and Brooke McCarty. Ariel Atkins earned All-Big 12 Second Team. Baylor’s Kristy Wallace and Texas’ Empress Davenport and Rodrigo finished with All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
For the Longhorns to win tonight, their defense must find a way to slow down Baylor’s high-powered offense. The Bears are averaging 83 points a game during the tournament and finished the regular season averaging 77.7 points. In Baylor’s only loss of the season, the Bears scored just 45 points, which happened to be their lowest scoring night of the season. In the tournament so far, Texas is holding its opponents to 50.5 points per game.
Over the years, Baylor has proven to be a difficult opponent for the Longhorns. Texas faced the Bears twice this season, losing both times. The Longhorns also lost to Baylor last season in the Big 12 championship game. It has been six years since Texas has beaten Baylor, which happened March 7, 2010, in Waco when the Longhorns won 70-54.
Texas currently sits as a strong No. 2 seed for the NCAA tournament. A win tonight could throw the Longhorns in conversation for a No. 1 seed. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT tonight on FS1.
