West Virginia Defeats Baylor 70-60 in Big 12 Women's Basketball

Mountaineers control the game, limiting Baylor to just 3 field goals in the third quarter

Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:47pm

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No. 22 West Virginia defeated No. 14 Baylor 70-60 on Sunday, marking a significant win for the Mountaineers and impacting the Big 12 standings. Kierra Wheeler led West Virginia with 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Jordan Harrison also contributed 18 points to the victory. West Virginia built on a six-point halftime advantage, extending it to 14 points in the third quarter with a 3-pointer from Sydney Shaw. The Mountaineers' defense proved stifling, limiting Baylor to just three field goals during that period.

Why it matters

A win against a ranked opponent like Baylor can provide a significant boost in confidence and momentum for West Virginia as they navigate a competitive conference schedule. Maintaining consistent performance, particularly on defense as demonstrated in the third quarter, will be crucial for their continued success.

The details

West Virginia's defense limited Baylor to just 30% shooting from the field overall, but the Bears compensated by making 27 of 32 free throw attempts. Taliah Scott led Baylor with 18 points, followed by Bella Fontleroy with 14 and Littlepage-Buggs with 12. The loss initially threatened to displace Baylor (19-4, 8-2 Big 12) from its position at the top of the Big 12 standings, but a later win by No. 21 Texas Tech over No. 12 TCU resulted in Baylor and TCU remaining tied for first place. West Virginia's win improves their record to 18-5, 8-3 in the Big 12.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 2, 2026.
  • West Virginia built on a six-point halftime advantage and extended it to 14 points in the third quarter.

The players

Kierra Wheeler

Led West Virginia with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Jordan Harrison

Also contributed 18 points to West Virginia's victory.

Sydney Shaw

Made a 3-pointer that helped West Virginia extend their lead to 14 points in the third quarter.

Taliah Scott

Led Baylor with 18 points.

Bella Fontleroy

Scored 14 points for Baylor.

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What they’re saying

“A win against a ranked opponent like Baylor can provide a significant boost in confidence and momentum for West Virginia as they navigate a competitive conference schedule.”

— Expert, Insight

What’s next

Baylor is scheduled to play at Cincinnati on Wednesday. West Virginia could face a challenging matchup at Colorado on Wednesday. How these teams respond to Sunday's outcomes may influence their strategies and performance in the coming weeks. A possible next step for both teams is to analyze their game footage to identify areas for improvement.

The takeaway

This game highlights West Virginia's strong defensive performance, limiting Baylor to just 3 field goals in the third quarter, which proved crucial in securing the victory. The win boosts West Virginia's confidence and momentum as they continue to navigate the competitive Big 12 conference schedule.