Jump to content

Baylor Bears women's basketball

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Baylor Bears
2024–25 Baylor Bears women's basketball team
UniversityBaylor University
Head coachNicki Collen (4th season)
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
LocationWaco, Texas
ArenaFoster Pavilion
(capacity: 7,500)
NicknameBears
ColorsGreen and gold[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away
Alternate jersey
Team colours
Alternate
NCAA tournament champions
2005, 2012, 2019
NCAA tournament Final Four
2005, 2010, 2012, 2019
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2024
NCAA tournament appearances
2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
AIAW tournament Elite Eight
1976, 1977
AIAW tournament Sweet Sixteen
1976, 1977
AIAW tournament appearances
1976, 1977
Conference tournament champions
2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021
Conference regular season champions
2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

The Baylor Bears women's basketball team represents Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in NCAA Division I women's basketball competition. They currently compete in the Big 12 Conference. The team plays its home games in the Foster Pavilion. Before the 2021–22 season, the team had been known as the "Lady Bears", but on September 3, 2021, the school officially announced that women's basketball had dropped "Lady" from its nickname. At the same time, soccer and volleyball, the other two Baylor women's teams that were still using "Lady" in their nicknames, also abandoned that usage.[2][3]

The then-Lady Bears went undefeated at 40–0 to become the 2012 NCAA Division I National Champions in Women's College Basketball.

History

[edit]

Olga Fallen years (1974–1979)

[edit]

Olga joined the faculty of Baylor University in 1956 and served as an assistant professor of physical education through 1997. She developed Baylor's women's athletic program from its beginning within the physical education department in 1959 and from 1972 to 1979, served as the coordinator of women's athletics. She was inducted into the Baylor Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. Under her coaching the softball team, advanced to the AIAW regional tournament in 1978 and 1979. The Bearette basketball team posted a five-year record of 143–50 and earned two consecutive bids to the national AIAW tournament in 1976 and 1977, rated fifth and seventh in the nation those years.

Pam Bowers years (1979–1994)

[edit]
Main article: Pam Bowers

Sonja Hogg years (1994–2000)

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Baylor Lady Bears (Southwest Conference) (1994–1996)
1994–1995 Baylor 13–14 4–10 7th
1995–1996 Baylor 11–19 3–11 7th
Baylor Lady Bears (Big 12 Conference) (1996–2000)
1996–1997 Baylor 15–13 7–9 T-8th
1997–1998 Baylor 20–11 10–6 T–5th WNIT Finals
1998–1999 Baylor 17–14 8–8 T-5th WNIT
1999–2000 Baylor 7–20 2–14 12th
Baylor: 83–91 (.477) 34–58 (.370)
Total: 83–91 (.477)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Source:[4]

Kim Mulkey years (2000–2021)

[edit]

In 2000, Kim Mulkey took over a Baylor program that had finished the 1999–2000 season 7–20 and last in the Big 12 Conference. In her first season at Baylor, she turned the Lady Bears program around, leading the team to its first NCAA tournament bid. The Lady Bears have now (as of 2019) put together 19 consecutive 20-win seasons and only once has the team lost more than 10 games in a season. The rise of the Baylor program under Mulkey was capped off in 2005 with a national title. This made her the fourth person to have won NCAA Division I basketball titles as a player and a head coach (after Joe B. Hall, Bob Knight and Dean Smith) and the first woman to do so. The Lady Bears also captured the 2012 title with an undefeated season and the 2019 title. Mulkey departed the program for LSU in 2021.[5]

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Baylor Lady Bears (Big 12 Conference) (2000–present)
2000–2001 Baylor 21–9 9–7 6th NCAA First Round
2001–2002 Baylor 27–6 12–4 2nd NCAA Second Round
2002–2003 Baylor 24–11 8–8 7th WNIT Runner-up
2003–2004 Baylor 26–9 10–6 T–4th NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2004–2005 Baylor 33–3 14–2 1st NCAA Champions
2005–2006 Baylor 26–7 12–4 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2006–2007 Baylor 26–8 11–5 3rd NCAA Second Round
2007–2008 Baylor 25–7 12–4 2nd NCAA Second Round
2008–2009 Baylor 29–6 12–4 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2009–2010 Baylor 27–10 9–7 6th NCAA Final Four
2010–2011 Baylor 34–3 15–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2011–2012 Baylor 40–0 18–0 1st NCAA Champions
2012–2013 Baylor 34–2 18–0 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2013–2014 Baylor 32–5 16–2 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2014–2015 Baylor 33–4 16–2 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2015–2016 Baylor 36–2 17–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2016–2017 Baylor 33–4 17–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2017–2018 Baylor 33–2 18–0 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2018–2019 Baylor 37–1 18–0 1st NCAA Champions
2019–2020 Baylor 28–2 17–1 1st tournament canceled[6]
2020–2021 Baylor 28–3 17–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight
Baylor: 632–104 (.859) 296–60 (.831)
Total: 632–104

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Source:[7][8]

Nicki Collen era (2021–present)

[edit]

Nicki Collen, previously 2018 WNBA Coach of the Year WNBA's Atlanta Dream, replaced Mulkey as head coach after the latter's departure for LSU.

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Baylor Bears (Big 12 Conference) (2021–present)
2021–22 Baylor 28–7 15–3 1st NCAA Second Round
2022–23 Baylor 20–13 10–8 T–4th NCAA Second Round
2023–24 Baylor 26–8 12–6 T-4th NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Baylor: 74–28 (.753) 37–17 (.711)
Total: 74–28

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

National Championships

[edit]
Year Coach Opponent Score Record
2005 Kim Mulkey Michigan St. Spartans 84–62 33–3
2012 Kim Mulkey Notre Dame Fighting Irish 80–61 40–0
2019 Kim Mulkey Notre Dame Fighting Irish 82–81 37–1
National Championships 3

Conference Championships

[edit]
Year Overall Record Conference Record Coach Conference
2005 33–3 14–2 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2011 34–3 15–1 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2012 40–0 18–0 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2013 34–2 18–0 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2014 32–5 16–2 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2015 33–4 16–2 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2016 36–2 17–1 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2017 33–4 16–2 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2018 33–2 18–0 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2019 37–1 18–0 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2020 28–2 17–1 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2021 28–3 17–1 Kim Mulkey Big 12 Conference
2022 28–7 15–3 Nicki Collen Big 12 Conference
Totals 13

Conference honors and awards

[edit]

Southwest Conference Player of the Year

  • Mary Lowry (1993–94)[9]

Big 12 Coach of the Year

  • Kim Mulkey (2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019)

Big 12 Player of the Year

Big 12 Freshman of the Year

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year

Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year

Big 12 Sixth Woman Award

Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player

National honors and awards

[edit]

USBWA National Freshman of the Year

  • Brittney Griner – 2009–10
  • Odyssey Sims – 2010–11

Elite 90 Award

  • Lindsay Palmer – 2010, 2012

Wade Trophy

  • Brittney Griner – 2011–12, 2012–13
  • Odyssey Sims – 2013–14
  • NaLyssa Smith – 2020–21

Naismith College Player of the Year

  • Brittney Griner – 2011–12, 2012–13

Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award

  • Sheila Lambert – 2001–02
  • Odyssey Sims – 2013–14

WBCA Defensive Player of the Year

  • Brittney Griner – 2010–11, 2011–12
  • DiDi Richards – 2019–20

NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player

Nancy Lieberman Award – Nation's top collegiate point guard

  • Odyssey Sims – 2013–14

Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award

All-time series records against current & former Big 12 members

[edit]
  • As of Fall 2021
Baylor vs. the Big 12*[10]
Baylor
vs.		 Overall Record at Waco at Opponent's
Venue		 at Neutral Site Last 5 Meetings Last 10 Meetings Current Streak Since Beginning
of Big 12
Colorado BU, 12–8 BU, 6–2 tie, 5–5 tie, 1–1 BU, 5–2 BU, 8–2 W 8 BU, 12–5
Iowa State BU, 30–9 BU, 16–2 BU, 10–6 BU, 4–1 BU, 5–0 BU, 9–1 L 2 BU, 30–9
Kansas BU, 34–8 BU, 17–2 BU, 13–5 BU, 4–1 BU, 5–0 BU, 10-0 W 15 BU, 34–6
Kansas State BU, 40–8 BU, 17–1 BU, 14–3 BU, 10–3 BU, 5–0 BU, 10–0 W 36 BU, 40–7
Missouri BU, 16–5 BU, 9–1 BU, 5–3 BU, 2–1 BU, 4–1 BU, 8–2 W 3 BU, 15–4
Nebraska BU, 10–6 BU, 6–2 BU, 4–3 NU, 0–1 BU, 3–2 BU, 7–3 W 1 BU, 10–6
Oklahoma BU, 32–25 BU, 16–9 BU, 15-12 OU, 1–5 BU, 5–0 BU, 10–0 W 12 BU, 32–22
Oklahoma State BU, 45–11 BU, 25–2 BU, 15–9 BU, 5–0 BU, 5–0 BU, 10–0 W 10 BU, 44–11
Texas UT, 59-45 UT, 23-24 UT, 27-17 UT, 5–6 BU, 5-0 BU 10–0 W 11 BU, 39–17
Texas A&M BU, 50–36 BU, 26–13 A&M, 17–18 BU, 7–4 BU, 4–1 BU, 8–2 W 3 BU, 31–7
TCU BU, 42–5 BU, 19–2 BU, 20–3 BU, 2–0 BU, 5–0 BU, 10–0 W 31 BU, 21–0
Texas Tech BU, 49–47 BU, 21-20 TT, 17-25 BU, 11–2 BU, 5–0 BU, 10–0 W 24 BU, 41–20
WVU BU, 20–3 BU, 9–1 BU, 9–0 tied, 2–2 BU, 5–0 BU, 9–1 W 9 BU, 20–2
*Updated through the end of the 2018–19 season.

ALL-TIME BIG 12 WINS (REGULAR SEASON) AS OF 2018–2019

289 – Baylor (.753),

240 – Oklahoma (.625),

232 – Texas (.604),

221 – Iowa State (.576),

192 – Kansas State (.500),

182 – Texas Tech (.474),

152 – Oklahoma State (.396),

126 – Kansas (.328),

71 – West Virginia (.563),

50 – TCU (.397)

Year by year results

[edit]

Conference tournament winners noted with # Source[11]

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason Coaches' poll AP poll
Olga Fallen (Independent) (1974–1979)
1974–75 Olga Fallen 30–11 – AIAW State Playoffs
1975–76 Olga Fallen 31–6 – AIAW Quarterfinals
1976–77 Olga Fallen 32–12 – AIAW Fifth Place 12
1977–78 Olga Fallen 33–8 – AIAW Regional Playoffs
1978–79 Olga Fallen 17–13 – AIAW State Playoffs
Olga Fallen: 143–50 –
Pam Bowers (Independent, Southwest) (1979–1994)
1979–80 Pam Bowers 4–24 –
1980–81 Pam Bowers 29–11 – NWIT Eighth Place
1981–82 Pam Bowers 16–11 –
Southwest Conference
1982–83 Pam Bowers 16–14 4–4 T-5th
1983–84 Pam Bowers 15–12 9–7 T-4th
1984–85 Pam Bowers 12–14 7–9 T-5th
1985–86 Pam Bowers 6–21 4–12 7th
1986–87 Pam Bowers 8–20 5–11 T-6th
1987–88 Pam Bowers 10–20 3–13 T-8th
1988–89 Pam Bowers 3–23 1–15 9th includes forfeit loss to Texas Tech
1989–90 Pam Bowers 4–23 1–15 9th
1990–91 Pam Bowers 9–17 3–13 8th
1991–92 Pam Bowers 11–17 3–11 8th
1992–93 Pam Bowers 12–16 6–8 5th
1993–94 Pam Bowers 13–14 4–10 7th
Pam Bowers: 168–257 50–128
Sonya Hogg (Southwest, Big 12) (1994–2000)
1994–95 Sonya Hogg 13–14 4–10 7th
1995–96 Sonya Hogg 11–19 3–11 7th
Big 12 Conference
1996–97 Sonya Hogg 15–13 7–9 T-8th (Big 12)
1997–98 Sonya Hogg 20–11 6–10 T-5th WNIT Finals
1998–99 Sonya Hogg 17–14 8–8 T-5th WNIT Sixteen
1999–2000 Sonya Hogg 7–20 2–14 12th
Sonya Hogg: 83–91 30–62
Kim Mulkey (Big 12) (2000–2021)
2000–01 Kim Mulkey 21–9 9–7 6th NCAA First Round
2001–02 Kim Mulkey 27–6 12–4 2nd NCAA Second Round 7 14
2002–03 Kim Mulkey 24–11 8–8 7th WNIT Finals
2003–04 Kim Mulkey 26–9 10–6 T-4th NCAA Sweet Sixteen 15 11
2004–05 Kim Mulkey 33–3 14–2 1st NCAA Champions 5 1
2005–06 Kim Mulkey 26–7 12–4 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen 10 14
2006–07 Kim Mulkey 26–8 11–5 3rd NCAA Second Round 19 19
2007–08 Kim Mulkey 25–7 12–4 2nd NCAA Second Round 12 17
2008–09 Kim Mulkey 29–6 12–4 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen 5 6
2009–10 Kim Mulkey 27–10 9–7 T-6th NCAA Final Four 14 4
2010–11 Kim Mulkey 34–3 15–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight 3 5
2011–12 Kim Mulkey 40–0 18–0 1st NCAA Champions 1 1
2012–13 Kim Mulkey 34–2 18–0 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen 1 4
2013–14 Kim Mulkey 32–5 16–2 T-1st NCAA Elite Eight 5 6
2014–15 Kim Mulkey 33–4 16–2 1st NCAA Elite Eight 5 5
2015–16 Kim Mulkey 36–2 17–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight 4 4
2016–17 Kim Mulkey 33–4 17–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight 5 6
2017–18 Kim Mulkey 33–2 18–0 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen 2
2018–19 Kim Mulkey 37–1 18–0 1st NCAA Champions 1 1
2019–20 Kim Mulkey 28–2 17–1 1st Cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic 2 3
2020–21 Kim Mulkey 28–3 17–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight 5 5
Kim Mulkey: 632–104 296–60
Nicki Collen (Big 12) (2021–present)
2021–22 Nicki Collen 28–6 15–3 1st NCAA Second Round 11 7
2022–23 Nicki Collen 20–12 10–8 T–4th NCAA Second Round
2023–24 Nicki Collen 26–8 12–6 T–4th NCAA Sweet Sixteen 13 15
Nicki Collen: 74–28 37–17
Total: 1,103–510

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

[7][8]

Postseason results

[edit]

NCAA Division I

[edit]

The Bears have appeared in 19 tournaments, with a record of 53–17.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
2001 #8 First Round #9 Arkansas L 59–68
2002 #2 First Round
Second Round		 #15 Bucknell
#7 Drake		 W 80–56
L 72–76
2004 #4 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #13 Loyola Marymount
#5 Florida
#1 Tennessee		 W 71–60
W 91–76
L 69–71
2005 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Title Game		 #15 Illinois State
#10 Oregon
#3 Minnesota
#1 North Carolina
#1 LSU
#1 Michigan State		 W 91–70
W 69–46
W 64–57
W 72–63
W 68–57
W 84–62
2006 #3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #14 Northern Arizona
#11 New Mexico
#2 Maryland		 W 74–56
W 87–67
L 63–82
2007 #5 First Round
Second Round		 #12 Chattanooga
#4 NC State		 W 68–55
L 72–78 (OT)
2008 #3 First Round
Second Round		 #14 Fresno State
#6 Pittsburgh		 W 68–55
L 72–78 (OT)
2009 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #15 UTSA
#7 South Dakota State
#3 Louisville		 W 87–82 (OT)
W 60–58
L 39–56
2010 #4 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		 #13 Fresno State
#5 Georgetown
#1 Tennessee
#2 Duke
#1 Connecticut		 W 69–55
W 49–33
W 77–62
W 51–48
L 50–70
2011 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #16 Prairie View A&M
#9 West Virginia
#5 Green Bay
#2 Texas A&M		 W 66–30
W 82–68
W 86–76
L 46–58
2012 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Title Game		 #16 UC Santa Barbara
#9 Florida
#4 Georgia Tech
#2 Tennessee
#1 Stanford
#1 Notre Dame		 W 81–40
W 76–57
W 83–68
W 77–58
W 59–47
W 80–61
2013 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #16 Prairie View A&M
#8 Florida State
#5 Louisville		 W 82–40
W 85–47
L 81–82
2014 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #15 Western Kentucky
#7 California
#3 Kentucky
#1 Notre Dame		 W 87–74
W 75–56
W 90–72
L 69–88
2015 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #15 Northwestern State
#10 Arkansas
#3 Iowa
#1 Notre Dame		 W 77–36
W 73–44
W 81–66
L 68–77
2016 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #16 Idaho
#9 Auburn
#5 Florida State
#2 Oregon State		 W 89–59
W 84–52
W 78–58
L 57–60
2017 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #16 Texas Southern
#9 California
#4 Louisville
#2 Mississippi State		 W 119–30
W 86–46
W 97–63
L 85–94 (OT)
2018 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #15 Grambling State
#7 Michigan
#3 Oregon State		 W 96–46
W 80–58
L 67–72
2019 #1 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Title Game		 #16 Abilene Christian
#8 California
#4 South Carolina
#2 Iowa
#2 Oregon
#1 Notre Dame		 W 95–38
W 102–63
W 93–68
W 85–53
W 72–67
W 82–81
2021 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #15 Jackson State
#7 Virginia Tech
#6 Michigan
#1 UConn		 W 101–52
W 90–48
W 78–75 (OT)
L 67–69
2022 #2 First Round
Second Round		 #15 Hawaii
#10 South Dakota		 W 89–49
L 47–67
2023 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 Alabama
#2 UConn		 W 78–74
L 58–77
2024 #5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #12 Vanderbilt
#4 Virginia Tech
#1 USC		 W 80–63
W 75–72
L 70–74

AIAW Division I

[edit]

The Lady Bears made two appearances in the AIAW National Division I basketball tournament, with a combined record of 5–3.

Year Round Opponent Result
1976 First Round
Quarterfinals
Consolation Second Round 		Southern Connecticut
Delta State
Tennessee Tech 		W, 76–72
L, 57–97
L, 78–89
1977 First Round
Quarterfinals
Consolation Second Round
Consolation Third Round
Fifth Place Game 		Saint Joseph's
LSU
Missouri
Utah
Southern Connecticut 		W, 85–75
L, 64–71
W, 85–75
W, 77–52
W, 71–69

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Baylor University Athletics Brand Identity (PDF). April 15, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  2. ^ Quillen, Kurtis (September 3, 2021). "Baylor University to drop 'Lady Bears' nickname from women's teams". Temple, TX: KCEN-TV. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Voepel, Mechelle (September 4, 2021). "Baylor women's hoops drops 'Lady' from team name, to be known as Bears". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site – BaylorBears.com – Women's Basketball". www.baylorbears.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07.
  5. ^ "Hall of Fame coach Mulkey leaves Baylor for LSU". ESPN.com. 2021-04-25. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  6. ^ ESPN News Services (12 March 2020). "NCAA tournaments canceled over coronavirus". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Player Bio: Kim Mulkey :: Women's Basketball". Archived from the original on 2009-03-28. Retrieved 2009-05-13.
  8. ^ a b "Big 12 Record Book" (PDF) (Press release). Big 12 Sports. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  9. ^ "Young Named Player of the Year by Coaches". www.baylorbears.com. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  10. ^ "Big 12 Women's Basketball Media Guide" (PDF). big12sports.com. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
  11. ^ "Media Guide". Baylor University. Retrieved 10 Aug 2013.
[edit]
Preceded by Last NCAA team to finish the year undefeated or unbeaten in any sport
April 3, 2012 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Baylor_Bears_women%27s_basketball&oldid=1251547689"