The Baylor Lady Bears are two wins away from their fourth Final Four in program history. On Saturday, the Lady Bears take on the 5-seed Florida State Seminoles for a spot in the Elite Eight.
Baylor is riding a 21-game winning streak into the Dallas Regional, and are playing their best basketball to date. Led by All-Big 12 standout Nina Davis, who is averaging 24 points a game in tournament play, the Lady Bears have found production from all their players in the first two rounds. Big 12 Tournament MVP Alexis Jones is picking up where she left off in Oklahoma City, averaging 19.5 points a game and 5.5 assists a game.
The Lady Bears have been fortunate to find production from their bench as well. Freshman Kalani Brown and sophomore Kristi Wallace have both been sparks off the bench offensively and defensively for the Lady Bears. The full team effort has allowed Coach Kim Mulkey's squad to blowout their first two opponents 173-111.
But as well as the Lady Bears are playing, they will have a few challenges ahead of them Saturday afternoon. First, the Florida State Seminoles, ranked 17th by the Associated Press, showed how formidable they can be after pounding the 4-seed Texas A&M on the road 74-56.
The Seminoles are led by three players who can score well. Guard Shakayla Thomas is averaging 16.6 a game, and junior guard Leticia Romero is averaging 11.6 points a game. One of the Seminoles biggest weapons is their senior center Adut Bulgak who is not only averaging 12.9 points but leading the team in rebounding with 7.9 a game.
The Lady Bears and Seminoles have met in the NCAA Tournament before. In 2013, Baylor hosted Florida State in the second round, beating them 85-47. This time Baylor is still favored, but some people, including President Barack Obama, think this is the year the Seminoles defeat the Lady Bears.
Baylor will also have to exercise a few demons this weekend, as the last time they were a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament and the last time they played in the Dallas Regional they fell short of the Final Four. In 2013, Baylor was the number one overall seed in the tournament and was upset in the Sweet 16 by 5-seed Louisville. In 2011, as a 1-seed in the Dallas Regional, the Lady Bears lost in the Elite Eight to Texas A&M. This time around, the Lady Bears want to make sure they leave Dallas on a happier note.
Later this morning, the Lady Bears will speak to the media and hold a practice at the American Airlines Center before their game tomorrow. Stay connected with News Channel 25 all weekend long for your latest Baylor Lady Bear basketball news.
