Lowdown:

Iowa State made No. 1 Baylor nervous to lose its undefeated record on March 3. Baylor came out victorious winning 77-53 in Waco, Texas, but it wasn’t without a fight from the fifth-best team in the Big 12.

Iowa State dominated from beyond the arc in the first half, scoring seven 3 pointers. Junior Chelsea Poppens scored the first 3-pointer of her career with 30 seconds remaining in the half, tying the score 32-32 and striking fear in the Lady Bears.

Turning point:

Baylor’s quick hands resulted in several steals. BU sophomore Odyssey Sims had five steals on the night. Baylor’s defense also ran down Iowa State’s shot clock three times.

Iowa State’s second half 3-point shooting never matched the first half and its rebounding never picked up either.

Poppens averages 11 rebounds per game, but Baylor held her to just four.

Baylor capitalized on Iowa State’s mistakes, going on an 11-0 run midway through the second half putting the Lady Bears up 61-45.

With six minutes remaining, Baylor was up by 22 points and not slowing down.

X Factor:

Junior Brittney Griner.

Griner outshot her 22 points per game average with a career-high 41. She scored more points than the rest her teammates combined.

By the numbers:

14 – number of double-doubles by junior Chelsea Poppens and BU junior Brittney Griner.

1- Griner’s ranking in blocked shots

1 – Number of 3 pointers Poppens has made in her career at Iowa State

15 – Number of ISU turnovers

Up next:

Iowa State will compete as the fifth seed in the Big 12 tournament starting March 7.