Baylor head coach Kim Mulkey, right, signals a play while talking with guard Sarah Andrews (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against TCU in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - NaLyssa Smith scored 26 points, Dijonai Carrington had 17 and No. 6 Baylor beat TCU 92-55 on Friday to advance to the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
The top-seeded Lady Bears (23-2) are two wins away from winning their ninth Big 12 Tournament in the last 10 years. Baylor will face Texas on Saturday in the semifinals.
'œWhen NaLyssa is feeling it, you just sit there and are glad she's on your team,'ť Mulkey said.
Tavy Diggs led TCU (10-15) with 22 points, and Yummy Morris had 10. Scoring leader Lauren Heard was held to six. The Horned Frogs got within 10 in the third quarter but faltered late in their second game in two days.
Both teams had trouble shooting from deep as Baylor was 4 for 19 and TCU 3 of 21. The Lady Bears shot 52% from the field and held the Horned Frogs to 26%.
'œIf you can hit more 3's obviously it helps but we're going to keep shooting and executing,'ť Mulkey said.
Baylor dominated in the paint, outrebounding TCU 52-34 and scored 58 points in the paint.
'œMy team got me the ball and I think everyone just played well today,'ť Smith said.
The game got out of hand in the fourth quarter as Baylor outscored TCU 33-13. The Lady Bears have scored at least 90 in their last three games and have won 10 of their last 11 games by double digits.
'œI was so impressed the last five minutes of the game,'ť Mulkey said. 'œIt was good to see them do well on the floor.'ť
BIG PICTURE
TCU: The Horned Frogs hung around for most of the game but needed to shoot better to have a chance at an upset.
Baylor: The Lady Bears looked a little sloppy in the first half, committing 13 turnovers, and have to get a better handle on that in the postseason.
Baylor forward NaLyssa Smith (1) rebounds against TCU forward Yummy Morris (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 women's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Associated Press
Baylor center Queen Egbo, right, blocks a shot by TCU guard Lauren Heard, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 women's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Associated Press
Baylor guard DiJonai Carrington, middle, is fouled by TCU defender Aahliyah Jackson, left, and during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 women's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Associated Press
TCU guard Aja Holmes (15) drives past Baylor guard DiJonai Carrington (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 women's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Associated Press
Baylor guard DiJonai Carrington, middle, splits TCU defenders Aahliyah Jackson, left, and Lauren Heard (20) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 women's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Associated Press
TCU head coach Raegan Pebley, right, checks on injured player Tavy Diggs, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Baylor in the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 women's tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, March 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
The Associated Press