No. 2 Baylor women top Houston Baptist without Cox

WACO, Texas (AP) Te’a Cooper scored 23 points, Queen Egbo had a career-high 21 points starting in place of injured preseason AP All-America post Lauren Cox, and No. 2 Baylor beat Houston Baptist 112-42 on Thursday night.

The defending national champion Lady Bears (3-0) won their 32nd consecutive game. They have won their three games this season by an average margin of 71 points.

Houston Baptist (2-1) had its only lead at 2-0 when Megan Valdez-Crader hit the first shot of the game only 9 seconds after the opening tip. Cooper’s 3-pointer was the first of her seven points as Baylor scored 13 consecutive points in just over two minutes.

Cox, who opened the season with double-doubles in the first two games, is sidelined with a reaction to the second metatarsal on her right foot. The 6-foot-4 senior had her foot in a protective boot and used a scooter to help her get around at the game.

Egbo, a 6-3 sophomore center, was 9-of-13 shooting in 22 minutes, and also had six rebounds. She played in 35 games as a freshman last season, averaging 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in her 35 games.

NaLyssa Smith added 16 points and Erin Degrate had 14.

Lauren Calver had 11 points for Houston Baptist, which shot 26% overall (15 of 58) and 2-of-21 on 3-pointers.

BIG PICTURE

Houston Baptist: The Huskies were on the opposite side of a lopsided game after winning their first two games by 23 and 29 points. Houston Baptist had 10 personal fouls in the first eight minutes, and six more before halftime, and Baylor made 14 of 17 free throws by then.

Baylor: The Lady Bears have won 52 consecutive home games against nonconference opponents since a loss to UConn in January 2014. ... Baylor shot 60% from the field (44 of 74) with 29 assists. All 10 players who got in the game scored.

UP NEXT

Houston Baptist will be across town Sunday to play at Houston, the second of four consecutive away games for the Huskies.

Baylor plays the fourth of five consecutive home games Tuesday against South Florida.

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