Nov. 21, 2003
Box Score
WACO, Texas - Freshman Emily Niemann and junior Steffanie Blackmon each recorded double-doubles as the Baylor women's basketball team easily defeated Mississippi State Friday night in the squad's season opener, 88-45.
Niemann, a true freshman from Houston, led all players with 20 points and added 10 rebounds in her first collegiate appearance. Blackmon, a preseason All-America selection, added 14 points and 10 boards for her 13th career double-double.
Tied at 17-17 nine minutes into the first half, Baylor (1-0) ran off a 25-4 spurt that effectively knocked the Lady Bulldogs (0-1) out of the game for good. The Lady Bears carried a 45-28 lead into the half, and expanded that with a 16-4 run early in the second half. The 17 points scored by Mississippi State in the second period marked the sixth-best defensive effort ever by the Lady Bears in a second half.
Niemann, Blackmon and sophomore Sophia Young (17 points, eight rebounds) were among the six Lady Bears who scored double-digit point totals, a feat Baylor last accomplished against UCLA (Dec. 19, 2002). No Mississippi State player scored more than eight points or pulled down more than four rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs, receiving votes in the preseason ESPN/Coaches Poll, got only limited minutes from their top three players, all recovering from injuries. All-America candidate Tan White played 15 minutes and scored seven points before fouling out, while all-SEC candidates Blessing Chekwa and Doceide Warren combined for two points and five rebounds in 29 minutes.
Baylor improved to 24-6 all-time in season openers, including a 4-0 record under head coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson. The Lady Bears are 13-3 in home openers at the Ferrell Center and have won 11 straight home openers.
The Lady Bears dominated every statistical category, shooting a torrid 55 percent from the field while holding the Lady Bulldogs to just 32 percent, including 18 percent (6-of-34) from the floor in the second half.
Baylor continues a four-game opening homestand Saturday night at 6 p.m. against Nicholls State, part of a men's/women's doubleheader at the Ferrell Center.
