Aug. 30, 2008
Burnaby, B.C. - Playing in its first-ever international basketball competition, the Baylor Lady Bears posted an 86-67 victory over perennial Canadian powerhouse Simon Fraser University in SFU's West Gym atop Burnaby Mountain in Burnaby, B.C.
Junior Danielle Wilson led Baylor with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Four other Lady Bears recorded double-digit scoring with Jessica Morrow with 16, Melissa Jones scored 12 and freshmen Ashley Field and Lindsay Palmer drained 10 apiece. Baylor was impressive on the boards with 46 while limiting SFU to 20. Courtney Gerwing led Simon Fraser with 20 points.
"I saw a lot of effort, nerves and turnovers tonight but that was to be expected," said head coach Kim Mulkey. "We looked at different matchups and groups as much as we could. I thought it was a good effort."
One of the reasons for scheduling this trip was to get a look at the team's newcomers. By the 50-second mark in the first quarter, Mulkey had gotten a look at all six newcomers. The Lady Bears led 18-17 at the end of the first quarter and eight of the team's points were from newcomers, including five from Palmer. In the first stanza, Baylor dominated the boards, hauling down 15 to SFU's five.
After outscoring SFU 25-18 in the second quarter, Baylor took a 43-35 lead into the locker room at the half behind 10 points each from Jones and Wilson and Palmer and Morrow's eight apiece. Baylor shot an impressive 53.3 percent (16-30) from the floor while hauling down 22 rebounds while limiting SFU to just 10 rebounds.
In the third quarter, Baylor extended its lead to 10 points on a steal and layup by Terran Condrey. The Lady Bears continued to increase the margin, leading by 15, 64-49 at the end of the stanza, including seven by Condrey.
Playing international rules (FIBA) was an adjustment for the Lady Bears. Among some of the major differences are:
3- point line - FIBA-20'6", NCAA -19'9"
Shot clock - FIBA-24 seconds, NCAA-30 seconds
Back court - FIBA-8 seconds, NCAA-none
Lane - FIBA-trapezoid, NCAA- rectangle
Time - FIBA-4, 10-minute quarters, NCAA 2, 20-minute halves
Halftime - FIBA-15 minutes, NCAA-20 minutes
Over 40 Baylor faithful made the trip to support the Lady Bears and will be on had as the Lady Bears complete the trip with a game against the University of British Columbia on Sunday at 7 p.m. (Central).
