- Snaps historic 30-game winning streak – longest in Division I women’s basketball this season
- Aaronette Vonleh dominates with 25-point double-double (11 rebounds)
- Grand Canyon makes first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history
- Baylor leverages home-court advantage in Waco regional bracket
In a clash of titans at the Ferrell Center, fourth-seeded Baylor delivered a masterclass in postseason basketball to eliminate undefeated Grand Canyon from March Madness. The Bears’ 73-60 victory not only advanced them to the second round but reshaped the tournament landscape by toppling the nation’s hottest team.
Colorado transfer Aaronette Vonleh proved unstoppable in the paint, converting 10 of 13 field goals while drawing eight fouls. Her 25-point performance marked a season high for the 6’3” center, who dominated despite early defensive pressure. “We knew their length could disrupt us,” said Grand Canyon coach Molly Miller. “Vonleh’s footwork separated her – she created angles we couldn’t counter.”
The Lopes’ Cinderella story unraveled during a critical 9-0 Baylor run before halftime. With leading scorer Trinity San Antonio sidelined by foul trouble, Grand Canyon managed just two field goals in the final 4:47 of the second quarter. Baylor’s defensive adjustments neutralized sharpshooter Alyssa Durazo-Frescas, holding the nation’s three-point leader to 0-3 from deep – her first scoreless performance beyond the arc since November.
Three critical factors decided this historic matchup:
- Roster Construction: Baylor’s mix of veteran transfers (Vonleh) and homegrown talent (Jada Walker) outperformed GCU’s defensive specialists
- Injury Comebacks: Darianna Littlepage-Buggs’ return from knee surgery provided crucial energy minutes
- Regional Viewership: Central Texas fans created a 7.2-decibel home-court advantage – loudest in Baylor’s tournament history
While San Antonio’s 27-point second-half surge kept GCU within striking distance, Baylor’s 42-28 rebounding edge and 18 second-chance points proved insurmountable. The Bears converted 78% of shots within 5 feet, exploiting their significant size advantage.
This matchup offers broader insights for March Madness strategists:
1. Transfer Portal Value: Vonleh becomes the seventh Power Five transfer to record a tournament double-double this year – proof of rising reliance on experienced transfers in single-elimination play.
2. Foul Management: Teams committing 18+ personal fouls (like GCU) are now 2-14 in this year’s tournament. Aggressive defenses risk critical personnel losses during TV timeouts.
3. Regional Hosting Impact: Baylor improves to 21-3 in NCAA Tournament games played within Texas since 2011 – a 87.5% win rate compared to 63.4% in neutral sites.
As Baylor prepares for its Sunday matchup, analysts note their balanced attack – four players scored 8+ points – could challenge top seeds. For Grand Canyon, the loss concludes a transformative season that saw attendance spike 214% from 2022-23. “We’re taking these nameplates as proof,” said senior Tiarra Brown, clutching her locker room placard. “GCU basketball arrived today.”