Nov. 1, 2008
WACO, Texas - Exhibition Game 1
Baylor vs. Houston Jaguars
Nov. 3, 2008- 7 p.m.
Ferrell Center - Waco, Texas (10,284)
Radio - 1660 AM, KRZI/ESPN
Internet - Fans may listen to the game on Baylor's official website: www.baylorbears.com
BAYLOR VS. HOUSTON JAGUARS
Baylor and the Houston Jaguars meet for the 10th consecutive season in an exhibition contest. The game marks Baylor's first exhibition game of the season.
Previous Results:
1999- BU, 105-75
2000 - BU, 80-73
2001 - BU, 85-52
2002 - BU, 83-63
2003 - BU, 100-77
2004 - BU, 99-72
2005 - BU, 122-53
2006 - BU, 103-50
2007 - BU, 99-57
THE LADY BEARS
The Lady Bears come into their first exhibition game with six returning letterwinners, including four starters off last season's 25-7 squad.
Baylor's trio of seniors, Rachel Allison, Jhasmin Player and Jessica Morrow, will team with three other returnees, junior Danielle Wilson and sophomores Kelli Griffin and Melissa Jones to lead the Lady Bears this season. Experience will not be an issue for the returnees as every player started in at least six games in 2007-08.
Leading Baylor's charge this season will be Allison, a 2008 first-team All-Big 12 and All-Defensive selection, as well as an AP All-America honorable mention last season. The 6-1 post averaged 13.1 points, which ranked second on the team, and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds as a junior. In addition, she led the squad in steals with 51 and blocked 23 shots.
Player, a 5-10 guard, saw her season cut short last year when, 21 games into the season, she was felled by a torn ACL. She underwent reconstructive surgery in March and was given medical clearance in late August to play this season. Prior to her injury, Player averaged 12.2 points and 6.0 rebounds a game and had started in every contest.
Morrow, a 6-0 guard/forward, was one of five Lady Bears to average double-digit scoring last season. After scoring 11.7 points an outing as a junior, she enters her senior campaign with 919 career points. Morrow's athleticism enabled her to register 35 blocks and 34 steals in 2007-08.
Wilson, Baylor's tallest player at 6-3, has established herself as one of the nation's premier shot blockers. In just two seasons, she has rejected 166 shots, becoming Baylor's all-time shot blocker. As a sophomore, Wilson averaged 10.4 points and 6.8 rebounds a game, and she will be looked upon to anchor the middle for the Lady Bears this season.
Baylor's two sophomores, Griffin and Jones, saw plenty of action their rookie season, as both players played in all 32 games. In fact, Griffin, a 5-7 point guard, started eight contests and Jones, a 5-10 guard, got the starting nod in six games. Jones proved to be the more consistent of the two, averaging 5.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game while Griffin scored 2.8 a game and collected 47 assists. In addition, Jones' hustle and nose for the ball resulted in 35 steals and 15 blocks.
The addition of transfer Morghan Medlock should bolster the roster as well. Medlock, junior and a 2006 McDonald's and Parade All-American, joins the program after transferring from the University of Southern California. She received a waiver from the NCAA and will be eligible this season. Medlock spent two seasons as a Trojan, averaging 6.6 points and 5.5 rebounds as a sophomore and 6.4 points and 4.3 boards her rookie season. She is a post player that can play with her back to the basket and also play facing the hoop.
THE JAGUARS
The Houston Jaguars were founded in 1997 as a travel team to help women's basketball players continue their post-collegiate career and aspire to take their playing skills to the next level of professional achievement. The Jaguars compete against some of the top Division I colleges and universities each year, sometimes sending split squads to two schools in one night.
The Jaguars, led by head coach Louis Ray III, feature University of Houston and three-time Conference USA Player of the Year Chandi Jones and Umeki Webb, a North Carolina State and Phoenix Mercury standout.
UP NEXT
Baylor will host the Dallas Diesel in its final exhibition game on Friday, Nov. 7 in the Ferrell Center at 7 p.m. Baylor opens regular season play on Friday, Nov. 14 when it hosts Florida Atlantic at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the Baylor Lady Bear basketball games are available through the Baylor Athletic Ticket Office at Floyd Casey Stadium or by calling 1-800-BAYLORU or 254-710-1000. Tickets may also be purchased at BaylorBears.com. In addition, individuals wishing to purchase or renew season tickets may do so via the same outlets.
