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Lady Bears dominate first game

Nov. 4, 2009

Sarah Groman | Staff Photographer Lepanto, Ark., freshman guard Jordan Madden (3) leaps up for a two point shot during the Baylor vs. St. Edwards University game Tuesday at the Ferrell Center. The Bears won 97 to 43.

By Chris Derrett
Sports Writer

Baylor's starters saw little action in Tuesday's exhibition game against St. Edwards, but the impressively sized crowd still got what they paid for in a 97-43 victory for the Lady Bears.

After taking a 7-5 lead, Baylor never looked back. They held the Hilltoppers to 11 second-half points, including a nine-minute drought.

Houston freshman Brittney Griner began her highly anticipated night with a few one- and two-handed jams in pregame warm-ups and finished with 13 points on five for seven shooting. All of her points came in the paint except one, a continuation free throw she swished after scoring her first two collegiate points.

She gave the crowd of 6,095 three more reasons to cheer with three of Baylor's 10 blocks.

Drawing heavy inside pressure, Griner was also able to kick the ball out to teammates on the perimeter, which led to a three-pointer from Austin freshman guard Shanay Washington and a basket from Thornton, Colo., guard Melissa Jones.

Griner said she felt at home when the fans' applause greeted her pregame introduction.

"It was really exciting to have so many fans support us on an exhibition game. It was wonderful," Griner said.

Griner had two opportunities to throw down a dunk, a fast break and an alley-oop pass, but she opted for a layup on the break and was unable to haul in the lob pass later in the game. She admitted to wanting a dunk badly, but wanting a win more, which explained her taking the sure layup instead of trying to dunk at an awkward angle.

Media and fan expectations, Griner said, make no difference to her.

"There are expectations, but I listen to the ones from the coaching staff," Griner said. "I block out all the extra things people say."

Melissa Jones also began her season strong, scoring 18 points on eight for eight shooting including three treys and a free throw after a continuation foul. Jones credited her performance to the team's widespread talent that prevents them from zeroing in on any one particular Baylor player.

"It's awesome to have different looks when the focus is on different players," Jones said. "I just happened to have a couple of those."

Jones was not the only perfect shooter on the night. Dallas freshman guard Kimetria Hayden totaled 11 points in 13 minutes, slicing through defenders en route to five for five shooting.

Overall, Mulkey was pleased with the desire that Griner and all of the newcomers showed.

"I thought they were fine," Mulkey said. "The effort was there and the mistakes will continue to be mistakes until they become more comfortable and experienced."

Mulkey was the first to point out where the team needs improvement. She was unhappy with the Bears' 14 for 26 free throw effort and felt they could have done better than five for 15 from behind the arc, especially when that total becomes two for 12 without Jones' numbers.

In addition to finding problem areas, Mulkey used the exhibition game to give 12 of her 13 players time on the court. She said that ideally eight or nine players will emerge as the main rotation players, but if not then deciding who plays will be "a good headache."

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