The Baylor Bears defeat Oklahoma State 84-74 in an overtime thriller to reach the 2025 Big 12 Championship.
WACO, Texas — With a chance to go to the 2025 Big 12 Championship on the line, the Baylor Bears defeated the Oklahoma State Cowgirls 84-74 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday night.
The Bears, who led most of the game, trailed by seven points after the first quarter. Baylor center Aaronette Vonleh, who finished the game with 37 points, took charge in the second frame.
She scored 15 points, attacking the basket from inside the paint, to help Baylor take the lead 32-29 at halftime.
Baylor outscored OSU 20-10 in the second quarter as a team.
Vonleh didn’t slow down in the second half. She continued producing near the rim and drew a shooting foul early on. After sinking both shots, OSU ‘s Micah Gray went one for two from the foul line on the ensuing possession.
The third quarter was highly contested as the teams traded chances. Baylor remained on top, 54-52, entering the fourth quarter.
The game seemed to shift after OSU center Tenin Magassa fouled out with 2:21 left in regulation. Her absence opened a gap in OSU’s defensive presence and rebounding ability.
Guard Sarah Andrews, a Bear since head coach Nicki Collen’s first year (2021-2022), was fouled while shooting 10 seconds later, converting her two-point play into a three-point play. It gave Baylor a 66-64 lead.
An out-of-bounds review in the final minute allowed both teams to strategize on the bench with the game tied 66-66 and 56 seconds left in regulation.
OSU had possession but couldn’t score. Andrews snagged the defensive rebound and instantly called a timeout.
The longtime Bear took the final shot in regulation, which bounced off the rim, pushing the contest into overtime tied 66-66.
Baylor’s most dynamic player of the game took charge immediately. Vonleh scored the first four points in the extra frame, to nearly seize complete momentum.
However, the Bears briefly fell behind 71-70 with 3:18 to play, but three-pointers from Andrews and Jada Walker lifted Baylor to a 76-71 lead.
Baylor guard Waiata Jennings drained another three-point attempt to make the score 79-72 with 1:30 remaining.
The Bears held the lead and punched their ticket to the Big 12 Championship game. against TCU on Sunday, March 9.