The lowdown

Behind a big night from All-American Brittney Griner, No. 1 Baylor handled all that Iowa State could throw at it, winning 57-45 at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday night. 

Baylor (15-0, 2-0 Big 12) cleaned up the glass and nearly doubled the Cyclones’ (9-4, 0-2) offensive rebounds with 15 to their eight.

The Lady Bears out-rebounded the Cyclones 39-27 overall. That number was not entirely thanks to a towering seven-foot Griner. Baylor had four players with at least six rebounds. 

ISU coach Bill Fennelly stated very clearly in his postgame news conference that his team just didn’t make shots when it needed to. 

Iowa State shot 37 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from behind the arc, but wasn’t able to hit the shots to stop Baylor’s runs. 

Baylor also held a large advantage from the free throw line. The Lady Bears shot more than twice as many free throws than the Cyclones with 21 to their nine and made more than three times as many with 16 compared to the Cyclones’ five. 

Turning point

The way Baylor as able to pull away from the Cyclones every time it became close.

At one point in the second half it was 26-24 in favor of the Lady Bears and Griner rattled off five straight points to stretch out the lead.

Later in the game when it was 47-40 Baylor, Griner scored six of the Lady Bears’ last 10 points. 

X factor

There is no doubt that Brittney Griner was the difference. The Lady Bears were very good from the free throw line, but Griner made eight of 10 shots from the line. Griner recorded four blocks, two assists and six rebounds to go along with her game-high 26 points. 

By the numbers

39-27 –The rebound totals for the Lady Bears and the Cyclones. 

44.4 – The percentage Iowa State shot the three in the first half which helped keep the Cyclones in the game.

17 – Anna Prins’ season-high scoring total.

8 – How many games in which Nikki Moody has had five assists.

Postgame chatter

“That’s a great team, very well-coached. Certainly Brittney Griner is everything advertised.” – Fennelly on Baylor

“We told our kids three things going into the game. No. 1 was have a great effort and keep our crowd in the game. No. 2 was to believe in the plan that we had and I thought they did that. Then [No. 3 was] we needed to make shots and we didn’t make enough of them.” – Fennelly on the game plan for Baylor. 

“I felt pretty comfortable. I’m getting more comfortable playing inside and outside. I just have fun.” – Anna Prins on her performance.

“I think [Griner] changes everyone’s shot and everyone is aware of her presence and I think she has a big impact on defense.” – Lauren Mansfield on Brittney Griner’s defensive presence. 

Up next for Iowa State

The Cyclones next travel to face Kansas in Lawrence at the Allen Fieldhouse on Jan. 11.