Nov. 28, 2008

Box Score | Box Score | Quotes | Notes

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) - Jessica Morrow scored 13 of her 17 points in the first half, and No. 6 Baylor edged Villanova 62-57 on Friday in the Paradise Jam.

Rachel Allison added 16 points, and Jhasmin Player had 14 for the Bears (6-0).

"We saw a different type of team tonight than what we usually play against," Morrow said. "They were hard to guard and are well coached. But, it was good for us to see a team like this and know that we came out with a win."

Laura Kurz scored 17 points and had three blocks to lead Villanova (2-3).

Baylor jumped out to a 37-21 halftime lead behind Morrow. The Bears led 8-6 early before going on a 21-2 run over the next 6 minutes to build a comfortable advantage.

"I thought our defense, especially in the first half, was as good as I've seen us play," Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said. "We had a lot of energy and were switching on everything. Of their 45 shots, 27 were from 3-point range and 30 of their 57 points were from beyond the arc."

Baylor led 51-36 with 11:29 left in the game before Villanova started to rally.

The Wildcats went on a 18-6 run to cut the deficit to 57-54 on Heather Scanlon's free throws with 2:29 left. The Bears held on, hitting 5-of-6 free throws over the final 2 minutes.

"I don't know if fatigue set in at the second half; I think we got stagnant at the end," Mulkey said. "But, we as coaches will work on that, especially on the offensive end."

Baylor will play Wisconsin on Saturday in its final game of the tournament. Villanova will face Central Florida.