Baylor Shows Its Strength in Texas

Baylor has emerged as arguably the power in the state of Texas and the Big 12 Conference’s South division.

The No. 3 Bears took yet another step in their amazing five-year run from conference doormat to national title contender with a 63-60 victory over No. 7 Texas on Saturday at Waco.

Baylor finished last in the Big 12 before Kim Mulkey-Roberston took over as coach five years ago. The Bears had beaten the Longhorns under Mulkey-Robertson, but Saturday’s game marked the first time that Baylor (12-1, 2-0) was ranked higher than Texas (8-4, 1-1). It was the first time two top-10 teams had met in the Ferrell Center.

The Bears responded as a record crowd of 10,322 watched the frontcourt duo of Sophia Young and Steffanie Blackmon lead them to the win. Young had 25 points and 15 rebounds and Blackmon had 19 points and six rebounds.

No. 1 Louisiana State 76, No. 17 Georgia 52 -- Seimone Augustus scored 22 points before crashing into the basket support with 9:48 remaining in the second half at Baton Rouge, La., and leaving before the end of the Tigers’ Southeastern Conference opener.

Augustus stole the ball and drove downcourt. She apparently lost her balance when she went up for the shot and fell hard against the support. She was clutching her left arm while being helped off the court.

Augustus was taken to Baton Rouge General Hospital where X-rays on her left elbow were negative. LSU said she had a deep bone bruise and will be evaluated again Monday.

The Tigers (14-1) held the Bulldogs (12-4, 2-1) to 37% shooting (20 of 54). They also forced 16 turnovers and outrebounded the Bulldogs, 51-30.

No. 12 Texas Tech 76, Oklahoma State 38 -- The Red Raiders (11-2, 2-0) built a 20-point lead in the first 12 minutes and never trailed in the Big 12 game at Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State (5-7, 0-2) went more than 8 1/2 minutes without a basket in the first half.

No. 14 Rutgers 64, St. John’s 49 -- The Big East victory at New York was the fifth in a row for the Scarlet Knights (10-2, 1-0). The Red Storm (12-2, 1-2) got no closer than 11 in the second half.

No. 20 Kansas State 63, Kansas 45 -- The Wildcats (10-3, 1-1 Big 12) took charge early in the second half at Lawrence with a 13-0 run to win the Big 12 game. The Jayhawks (7-6, 0-2) have lost seven in a row to their intrastate rival.