Second place in the Big 12 was on the line Saturday afternoon in Waco, Texas. Following a close first half, the Baylor Lady Bears used a 20-5 run in the second half to push past the No. 18 ranked Wildcats and hand the Wildcats a 59-50 loss.
Despite losing two consecutive games on their home court for the first time under head coach Kim Mulkey, the Bears (19-3, 7-2 Big 12 Conference) got back on track and now hold sole possession of second place in the Big 12.
"Its always important to win at home and steal some on the road," Mulkey said following the game. "We didn't take care of our home court last week."
The Wildcats (19-3, 6-3 Big 12) were trailing 45-43 with 8:59 remaining in the game. Yet they could not get over the hump as Baylor went on a 13-0 run following a 3-pointer by junior Ashley Sweat to get the Wildcats within two points of the Bears.
With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 2-3 on the road in Big 12 games.
The Wildcats jumped out to a quick start in the game with junior Kari Kincaid hitting two consecutive 3-pointers to put the Wildcats up 8-2.
Kincaid anchored the Wildcats to begin the game, scoring the Wildcats' first eight points in the game. She finished the game with 11 points, shooting 3-5 from behind the 3-point line. The Wildcats shot 35 percent as a team from 3-point range.
The Wildcats finished the first half shooting 36 percent from the field and trailing the Bears 26-25.
However, second half defense adjustments by the Lady Bears proved to be the deciding factor in the game. The Lady Bears prevented point guard Shalee Lehning from distributing the ball as effectively as she did in the first half.
Sweat led the Wildcats in scoring with a game-high 17 points. Jessica Morrow of the Lady Bears also added 17 points.
With the loss, the Wildcats drop to 6-3 in Big 12 play and will return home to face the Oklahoma State Cowgirls Sunday afternoon. Tipoff for the game is set for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast regionally by Fox Sports Kansas City.
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