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It was late on a Wednesday night in Salt Lake City, and honestly, if you were just checking the box score, you might have missed the real story. No. 18 Baylor walked out of the Jon M. Huntsman Center with a 61-45 win over Utah on January 14, 2026. But man, it was a grind. Taliah Scott led the way with 14 points, yet she went 5-of-21 from the floor. That’s the kind of night it was—ugly, defensive, and exactly what Nicki Collen’s squad needed to prove they can win when the shots aren't falling.
People obsess over Baylor basketball scores lady bears fans look for every week, but the numbers alone don't show the defensive suffocating Utah felt. The Utes shot a miserable 26% from the field. Baylor basically built a wall.
The Grind-Out Win in Salt Lake City
Winning on the road in the Big 12 is never supposed to be easy, and this trip to Utah was no exception. The Bears moved to 16-3 overall and 5-1 in conference play with this victory. It wasn't a clinic in shooting, but it was a clinic in "finding a way."
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs was a force, putting up 11 points and grabbing nine boards. She’s becoming that reliable engine for this team. When the offense stagnant, she's usually the one cleaning up the glass. Jana Van Gytenbeek added 10 points and dished out six assists, showing some serious veteran leadership when the crowd started getting loud in the third quarter.
The turning point? A 10-0 run to close the first half.
Baylor went into the locker room up 35-24 and never really looked back. Utah tried to make a push, cutting the lead to 10 at one point, but Baylor responded with a 14-4 run to start the second half. It was methodical. It was sort of boring if you love high-scoring track meets, but for a coach, it was beautiful.
Recent Baylor Basketball Scores Lady Bears Fans Should Know
If you've been out of the loop, the Bears have been on a bit of a tear lately. Here’s a quick look at the path they’ve taken over the last few weeks:
- Jan 14, 2026: Baylor 61, Utah 45 (Away)
- Jan 11, 2026: Baylor 79, Kansas 64 (Home)
- Jan 8, 2026: Baylor 56, Colorado 52 (Home)
- Jan 4, 2026: Baylor 72, Iowa State 70 (Away)
- Dec 31, 2025: Baylor 77, Oklahoma State 68 (Away)
That win against Iowa State in Ames? Huge. Winning at Hilton Coliseum is a monumental task, and pulling that off by two points showed the grit of this 2025-26 roster. Then they came home and took care of business against Colorado and Kansas, though the Colorado game was way closer than many experts predicted.
Breaking Down the Roster Impact
You can't talk about these scores without mentioning Taliah Scott. She's the primary engine. Even on an "off" night like she had against Utah, she demands so much attention from the defense that it opens up lanes for everyone else.
Then there's Yuting Deng. She’s been a bit of a spark plug lately. In the win over Colorado, she actually led the team with 13 points when the starters were struggling to find the bottom of the net. Having that kind of depth is why Baylor is sitting at 16-3 right now.
Kiersten Johnson has also been huge on the boards. Against Utah, she didn't score much, but she tied for the team lead with nine rebounds. In a game where nobody could buy a bucket, those extra possessions are the difference between a double-digit win and a heartbreaker.
Looking Ahead: The BYU Challenge
The road trip doesn't end in Salt Lake. Baylor is heading over to Provo to face BYU this Saturday. BYU has been tough at home, and the environment at the Marriott Center is notoriously difficult for visitors.
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If Baylor wants to keep pace with Texas Tech—who is currently sitting undefeated in the Big 12—they cannot afford a "trap game" loss. The Big 12 standings are a mess of talent right now, with TCU and West Virginia also breathing down Baylor's neck.
One thing is certain: the Baylor basketball scores lady bears supporters track are going to get more interesting as February approaches. The schedule gets denser, the legs get heavier, and the margin for error disappears.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Lady Bears this season, here is what you should keep an eye on to gauge how deep a run they can make in March:
- Field Goal Percentage Defense: When Baylor keeps opponents under 35%, they almost never lose. Watch that stat in the first ten minutes of games.
- Turnover Margin: In their losses this season (like the one against Texas back in December), turnovers were the killer. Jana Van Gytenbeek’s ability to protect the ball is the most underrated factor in their success.
- Bench Scoring: Keep an eye on the production from the second unit. When they get 15+ points from the bench, they win comfortably. When the starters have to play 38 minutes each, things get dicey.
The Lady Bears are currently ranked No. 18, but with the way they've been playing defense, expect them to climb into the top 15 by next week's poll. They have the pieces; now they just need the consistency.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, make sure your streaming alerts are set for the BYU game on Saturday afternoon. Check the official Big 12 site for the exact tip-off time, as these weekend slots can shift for TV broadcasts. If you're looking for live stats during the game, the Baylor Athletics app usually has the most reliable play-by-play feed without the lag you get on third-party scoreboards.