LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — NaLyssa Smith had 28 points and 13 rebounds as No. 7 Baylor won 82-50 Wednesday night to extend its decade-long winning streak over Texas Tech to 24 games in a row.
Smith’s 22nd career double-double was her eighth in 10 games. DiJonai Carrington added 12 points for the Big 12-leading Lady Bears (15-2, 10-1 Big 12), and Queen Egbo also had 13 rebounds.
There was a scary moment midway through the third quarter when Baylor guard DiDi Richards, who during preseason practice was left temporarily paralyzed after a freak spinal injury, fell hard to the floor and stayed down on her back for several minutes.
Richards eventually sat up and got to her feet, then with aid from two Baylor personnel walked to the locker room. Richards had leaped to try to make a block, and was in midair when making contact and fouling Vivian Gray. Richards returned to the bench midway through the fourth quarter.
Coach Kim Mulkey said after the game that Richards had concussion symptoms.
Texas Tech (9-11, 4-10) was up 3-2 after Gray made a free throw with 6:30 left in the first quarter. But the Lady Raiders didn’t score again until Gray scored five points in the first 22 seconds of the second quarter.
Baylor finished the first quarter with 16 consecutive points for an 18-3 lead. The three points were the fewest Texas Tech ever scored in a quarter. The Lady Bears have twice have held teams scoreless in a quarter.
Gray finished with 12 points on 3-of-19 shooting to lead the Lady Raiders, who shot 28% (14 of 50) from the field.
Richards initially got hurt Oct. 24 in a midair collision with teammate Moon Ursin. Richards needed a walker to move around while regaining control and strength in her legs. But she missed only the season opener, and was back on the court for the Lady Bears only 38 days later.
BIG PICTURE
Baylor: The Lady Bears have a seven-game winning streak since a 75-71 loss to Iowa State on Jan. 16, when they returned after a two-week pause because of COVID-19 issues.
Texas Tech: Gray, who began her college career at Division II Fort Lewis College and played the past two seasons at Oklahoma State, surpassed 2,000 career points overall — she has 2,010 — 443 as a freshman at Fort Lewis, and now has 1,567 since — making her one of only 20 players with 1,500 points at the Division I level.
UP NEXT
Baylor is home against Texas on Sunday.
Texas Tech stays at home to play Saturday against Oklahoma State, Gray’s team the past two seasons.
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