Feb. 27, 2007

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#16/#14 Baylor (24-5, 11-4) vs. #12/#11 Oklahoma (22-4, 12-3)

Wednesday, Feb. 28 - 8 p.m. (CT)
Lloyd Noble Center - Norman, Okla.

BAYLOR VS. OKLAHOMA...
Wednesday's matchup between No. 16 Baylor (24-5, 11-4) and No. 12 Oklahoma (22-4, 12-3) will put Oklahoma's four-game win streak to the test. In addition, the Sooners have posted four straight victories over the Lady Bears.

Baylor, 9-2 in its last 11 contests, dropped to third in the league with its 63-58 home loss to Texas A&M on Sunday afternoon, while Oklahoma and the Aggies are tied atop the league standings at 12-3. The Sooners won the first meeting between the two teams, 76-63, in Waco on Jan. 10.

The game marks Baylor's 10th contest versus a ranked opponent this year, including seven during Big 12 Conference action (No. 8 & No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 19 & No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 22 Nebraska, No. 24 Texas, No. 25 Kansas State). BU is 4-5 versus ranked opponents this season.

The game also features two of the league's top offensive teams as the Sooners rank No. 1 in scoring offense (76.7) and Baylor is No. 2 at 75.1. In addition, OU's Courtney Paris ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 in scoring (23.8) and rebounding (15.9) while BU's Bernice Mosby is No. 2 in scoring (18.1) and No. 3 in rebounding (9.5).

Baylor is the only Big 12 program to have recorded at least 10 conference victories in each of the last four seasons.

LADY BEARS ON TELEVISION...
Wednesday's game at Oklahoma will be broadcast nationally on FSN and marks Baylor's 13th 2006-07 television appearance.

The game, broadcast on FOX Sports Network (FSN), will be seen live by the following FSN regions: Arizona, Bay Area, Detroit, Florida, Midwest, New England (non-Celtics), New York, North (Wisconsin), Northwest (non-Sonics), Ohio, Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain, Southwest, West and SportSouth (non-Atlanta Hawks). In addition, it will be shown on a delayed or repeat basis in the Bay Area, North, Ohio, Southwest and SportSouth regions.

Kevin Eschenfelder will be calling the action while Brenda VanLengen provides color analysis.

OVER THE AIRWAVES
TV: FSN
Kevin Eschenfelder, play-by-play
Brenda VanLengen, color analyst

Internet Feeds
Audio: Live audio stream at BaylorBears.com

Radio: KLRK - 92.9 FM - Waco

Radio Talent: Rick May, play-by-play Lori Fogleman, color analyst

BAYLOR Lady Bears

IN THE POLLS
16 - Associated Press
14 - USA Today/ESPN Coaches

PROBABLE STARTERS
Angela Tisdale - Jr., G, 5-5 - 11.4 ppg, 3.7 apg
Jhasmin Player - So., G, 5-10 - 7.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Jessica Morrow - So., G, 6-2 - 9.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Rachel Allison - So., P, 6-1 - 7.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg
Bernice Mosby - Sr., P, 6-1 - 18.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg

OKLAHOMA Sooners

IN THE POLLS
12 - Associated Press
11 - USA Today/ESPN Coaches

PROBABLE STARTERS
Jenna Plumley - Fr., G, 5-4 - 3.7 ppg, 1.7 apg
Erin Higgins - Sr., G, 5-9 - 5.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Amanda Thompson - Fr., F, 6-0 - 6.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Ashley Paris - So., F, 6-3 - 7.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg
Courtney Paris - So., C, 6-4 - 23.8 ppg, 15.9 rpg

HEAD COACH Kim Mulkey...
When Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Kim Mulkey accepted the position of women's head basketball coach at Baylor University, few could have predicted the dramatic and prestigious turn the program was about to take. In just six years at Baylor, the former All-American and Olympic Gold medalist has guided the Lady Bear basketball program to the pinnacle of women's basketball, the 2005 NCAA national championship, five NCAA Tournament appearances and seven 20-win seasons.

The 2005 national title was Baylor's first for a women's team sport and the only basketball national title, men's or women's, in the Big 12 Conference's 10-year history.

In winning the 2005 title, Mulkey became the first person, man or woman, to win a basketball national championship as a player, assistant coach and head coach.

En route to the NCAA championship, the Lady Bears won their first Big 12 Conference championship and were the league's tournament champion as well. Mulkey has produced amazing results since taking over the reins of the program on April 4, 2000, averaging 26.1 wins a season. In her seven years at the program's helm, she has posted an impressive 181-50 (.784) record which ranks her No. 7 nationally in winning percentage. Since taking over a squad that was just 7-20 the season prior to her arrival, Mulkey has guided the Lady Bears to six postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournaments and a trip to the 2003 WNIT finals. In 2004, the Lady Bears made their first trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 and have now played in three straight Sweet 16s.

On Dec. 28, Mulkey became the winningest coach in Baylor women's basketball history with the squad's 89-40 victory over North Carolina A&T. Pam Bowers previously held the record with 168 wins which she accomplished in 15 seasons.

THE LADY BEARS...
The Baylor Lady Bears conclude Big 12 Conference action after playing their most challenging non-conference schedule in program history. Baylor played three teams ranked among the Associated Press' top 25 (No. 9 LSU, No. 12 Purdue, No. 22 BYU) and two others who were receiving votes (Hofstra, UCLA). All told, Baylor has played nine ranked opponents, including six during Big 12 Conference action (No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 16 Texas A&M, No. 22 Nebraska, No. 24 Texas, No. 25 Kansas State). Through 29 games, two players are averaging double-digit scoring but the Lady Bears have tremendous balance as seven players contribute 7.0 or more points a game.

Senior All-America candidate Bernice Mosby leads the way with 18.1 a game, ranking No. 2 among Big 12 players, and junior point guard Angela Tisdale scores 11.5 points. Sophomore guard Jessica Morrow manages 9.0, freshman post Danielle Wilson scores 8.6 an outing while freshman Latara Darrett tallies 7.7, sophomore Jhasmin Player manages 7.5 and sophomore post Rachel Allison scores 7.1.

Mosby is averaging a team-leading 9.5 rebounds a game, which ranks No. 3 in the conference and includes 13 double-doubles, while Allison is the squad's second-leading rebounder with 6.3 a contest and is followed by Wilson's 5.0.

NO. 1 IN NCAA BLOCKING STATISTICS...
The Lady Bears come into the contest ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division I statistics (through games of Feb. 25) in blocked shots per game at 7.6 while fourth-ranked North Carolina sits at No. 2 with 6.8 and undefeated and top-ranked Duke is No. 3 at 6.8 an outing. In total blocks through games of Feb. 25, Baylor's 219 rejections rank No. 1, 15 blocks ahead of North Carolina's 204.

BIG 12 CONFERENCE BLOCKING RECORD...
Baylor, with its school-record 219 blocks on the season, currently ranks No. 3 on the Big 12 Conference's single season blocks list. The Lady Bears need 14 blocks to claim the top spot (232) held by Texas Tech's 2005 squad.

With its 219 blocks Baylor has blocked 72 more shots on the season than its nearest Big 12 opponent (Oklahoma, 147, 5.65 bpg).

All-Time Big 12 Single-Season List:
1. 232, Texas Tech (2005)
2. 227, Texas Tech (2003)
3. 219, Baylor (2007)

ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATE Bernice Mosby...
Senior transfer Bernice Mosby, an All-America candidate, was named Preseason Newcomer of the Year by the Big 12 coaches and was recently one of four players added to the WBCA's 2007 Wade Trophy watch list. Mosby, in her two-plus seasons at the University of Florida, averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. She averaged a team-leading 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 30.3 minutes a game as a junior before leaving the team in late March. She amassed 1,124 points and 625 rebounds at Florida and was voted 2004 Southeastern Conference Sixth Woman of the Year. Mosby was also named to the 2003 SEC All-Freshman team and second-team All-SEC by the coaches and media in 2005.

Since her arrival at Baylor she has stepped up her averages and leads the Lady Bears and is one of the Big 12's top players at 18.1 points and 9.5 rebounds a game. She has produced 86 double-figure scoring efforts, 35 double-figure rebounding games with 30 double-doubles throughout her career.

Even more impressive this season are her numbers versus Baylor's nine ranked opponents, 22.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game with six double-doubles.

FRESHMAN REJECTION...
When she's in the game, freshman post Danielle Wilson has the ability to alter the opponent's game plan. In 29 games, Wilson has used her expansive wing span (82 1/4") to block a team-leading and school season record 77 shots for an average of 2.66 an outing. In fact, Wilson has recorded at least two blocks in 22-of-29 games and at least one block in every game but one (Colorado) this season with five or more blocks five times (North Texas, BYU, Purdue, North Carolina A&T, Texas A&M). In addition, Wilson ranks No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 18 in NCAA Division I statistics in blocked shots at 2.66 per outing. In total blocks on the season, Wilson sits at No. 11 nationally with 77. Only two freshmen have registered more blocks this season than Wilson, Michigan State's 6-9 Allyssa DeHaan has 129 to rank No. 2 nationally and Xavier's Amber Harris (6-5) sits at No. 3 with 125.

With her five blocks against North Carolina A&T, Wilson cracked BU's single season top 10. Wilson recorded two blocks against Texas A&M on Sunday to break Carol Reeves Brandenburg's 27-year-old single season blocks record of 76. Wilson now has 77 in her rookie season.

Against Iowa State, Wilson blocked four shots to vault her into BU's career top 10, placing her No. 10 and knocking out Abiola Wabara's 69 (2003-06).

BAYLOR QUICK HITS...
- For the second straight season, Baylor has cracked the 100,000 barrier and set a single-season total attendance record. Last year the Lady Bears drew 100,316 fans and they finished the 2006-07 campaign with 119,603.
- The Lady Bears broke the all-time Ferrell Center total attendance record (men's or women's) of 109,494 set in 2001-02 with 119,603 this season.
- Baylor ranks No. 1 in NCAA Division I statistics in blocked shots at 7.6 a game (through game of Feb. 25).
- In its five losses this season, Baylor is 11-of-63 (.175) from 3-point range compared to .374 (99-265) percent beyond the arc in its 24 wins.
- Since her arrival at Baylor, Kim Mulkey has posted the most victories (181) and the best winning percentage (.784) among Big 12 coaches.
- Senior All-America candidate Bernice Mosby averages 22.3 points and 10.9 rebounds a game versus ranked teams this season. The Lady Bears have played nine ranked opponents.
- With 219 blocks registered so far this season, if the Lady Bears continue their current pace of 7.6 blocks a game, they have a chance to break the NCAA single-season block record of 250 set in 1995 by Connecticut.
- Angela Tisdale's seven treys versus Iowa State rank as the Big 12's best single-game mark this season and second-best in Lady Bear history all-time.
- Since Feb. 7, Baylor has risen from No. 12 in the league in 3-point percentage defense to No. 7. In the six games since then (Texas Tech, ISU, OSU, Texas, Colorado, Texas A&M), Baylor has limited its opponents to 21-of-93 (.226) from beyond the arc, changing its 3-point percentage defense from .324 to the present .312.
- Four Lady Bears have posted double-doubles this season: Bernice Mosby (13 - UNT, Hofstra, Purdue, LSU, SEMO, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Colorado), Rachel Allison (2, UAPB, Oklahoma State), Danielle Wilson (2 - LSU & NCAT) and Angela Tisdale (SDSU).
- Sophomore Rachel Allison recorded her first career double-double versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 13 points and 10 rebounds and added another against Oklahoma State (14p, 12r).
- Two freshmen, Danielle Wilson (77) and Bradley (22), have combined for just under half of Baylor's blocked shots, 99-of-219. Senior Bernice Mosby has added 44 as well while Jessica Morrow tallied 26.
- Danielle Wilson, a Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year candidate, ranks No. 18 nationally in blocked shots (77) and is No. 1 on Baylor's single season top 10, recently passing Carol Reeves Brandenburg's 76 during the 1979-80 season.
- Wilson now ranks No. 10 on Baylor's career top 10 in blocked shots with 77.
- Tisdale ranks No. 6 on Baylor's career charts in assists (368) and No. 7 in treys made (96).
- Wilson's 77 blocks ranks No. 6 on the Big 12 single season list, Cisti Greenwalt (TT, 2003) sits at No. 5 with 78 and Angela Jackson (UT, 1997) is No. 4 with 79.
- Baylor is 142-12 (.922) under Mulkey when scoring 70 or more points, including 87-3 (.967) when putting 80 or more on the scoreboard. In 2006-07, the Lady Bears are 19-0 when scoring 70 or more points, 11-0 when topping the 80-point barrier.
- Baylor is 83-15 (.847) since the start of the 2004-05 season with 12 of the 15 setbacks coming at the hands of nationally ranked opponents. Baylor's last 10 losses have come to ranked opponents.
- Baylor is 98-15 (.867) all-time in the Ferrell Center under Mulkey, including 42-4 (.955) since the start of the 2004-05 season and 16-3 this year.
- Baylor players have earned Big 12 Rookie of the Week five times this season. Wilson has two selections under her belt while Bernice Mosby has picked up the award twice and Latara Darrett garnered one.
- Five Lady Bears were named to the Fall 2006 Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. Joining senior Latoya Wyatt on the list were sophomore Rachel Allison and freshmen Haylee Abbe, Kaitlin Oberg and Danielle Wilson. Abbe posted a 4.00 GPA last semester.

20 VICTORIES AGAIN...
For the seventh straight season and 13th time in school history the Lady Bears, with their 80-67 victory at Texas Tech on Feb. 7, have achieved a 20-win season. Baylor has posted 20-win campaigns in each season since Coach Mulkey assumed the program's helm. Baylor's 24 wins equal the 10th-most in school history.

MOSBY ADDED TO WADE WATCH LIST AND WOODEN MIDSEASON AWARD LIST...
Senior forward Bernice Mosby was one of four players recently added to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Wade Trophy watch list and one of five players added to the Wooden Award Midseason list.

Mosby is one of three Big 12 Conference players on the two lists, joining Oklahoma's Courtney Paris and Texas' Tiffany Jackson.

BAYLOR IN BIG 12 GAMES...
The 2006-07 season marks the 11th year of competition for women's basketball in the Big 12 Conference. Baylor has a record of 103-72 all-time in regular season Big 12 games. However, in Kim Mulkey's six-plus years, Baylor is 76-35 in Big 12 play and has never posted a losing conference record. In 2004-05 the Lady Bears claimed their first-ever Big 12 Conference championship, winning both the regular season and tournament titles.

Baylor is 37-10 (.787) since the start of the 2004-05 Big 12 season.

2000-01 - 9-7
2001-02 - 12-4
2002-03 - 8-8
2003-04 - 10-6
2004-05 - 14-2
2005-06 - 12-4
2006-07 - 11-4

MULKEY VERSUS RANKED OPPONENTS...
With Baylor's loss to 16th-ranked Texas A&M on Feb. 25, head coach Kim Mulkey is now 34-34 against ranked opponents, including a 4-5 record this season. Since a 69-55 loss to No. 15 Texas A&M during the 2004-05 season, Baylor is 18-10 versus ranked opponents.

SCOUTING THE SOONERS...
The 12th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, 22-4 on the season and 12-3 in conference action, enter the contest on a four-game win streak and winners of five of their last six contests.

Head coach Sherri Coale is in her 11th year at Oklahoma. She is 226-117 (.659) in her career, all of which have come as the Sooners' head coach.

Oklahoma is led in scoring and rebounding by 6-4 sophomore center Courtney Paris' 23.8 points and 15.9 rebounds a game, both marks lead the Big 12 Conference. Two other Sooners, seniors Leah Rush and Chelsi Welch, average 9.4 and 9.2 points a game, respectively. Courtney Paris' twin sister, Ashley, is the squad's second-leading rebounder at 6.5 an outing.

SERIES RECORD...
Oklahoma holds an 18-8 series lead over Baylor. The Sooners have won four straight over the Lady Bears. In fact, the series seems to go in streaks. Oklahoma won three straight to begin the series, Baylor took the next four, then OU reeled off 11 straight before Baylor won four in a row.

Baylor is 4-8 versus Oklahoma in games played in Norman. Coach Mulkey is 4-11 versus Oklahoma and 2-4 in games played in Norman.