MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — No. 2 Baylor didn’t think much of West Virginia’s 14-game homecourt winning streak, considering they were the last opponent to win at the Coliseum.
The tall, talented Bears turned Wednesday night’s game into a 91-56 runaway, behind 21 points from guard Alexis Jones and the inside dominance of 6-foot-7 Kalani Brown, who finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
It was the second straight lopsided loss for the No. 17 Mountaineers (13-2, 1-2), who fell 86-71 at Kansas State on New Year’s Day.
“Give Baylor credit. They’re the real deal,” said West Virginia coach Mike Carey. “I watched a lot of games on TV of other conferences and I think they have as much talent as anybody in the country, if not more.
“They keep throwing players at you. They have done a hell of a job recruiting.”
In a matchup of the Big 12’s highest scoring offenses, Baylor (14-1, 3-0) held up its end while holding the Mountaineers to 31-percent shooting for their lowest output this season.
“I can tell you, we’re big,” said Baylor coach Kim Mulkey. “When you take a shot, we’re going to be in your face and we’re going to be there to alter it. If we don’t block it, we’re going try to alter it.
“We’re going to get in passing lanes. We’re going to make you work.”
With Brown producing 16 points and 11 rebounds, the Bears held a commanding 60-30 edge on the boards and 33-7 lead in second-chance points.
Teana Muldrow scored 16 points to pace West Virginia, which trailed 42-27 at the half. Carey was missing guard Alexis Brewer (knee) along with three would-be contributors who were sidelined since the preseason.
“It is what it is,” he said. “I don’t have a bench to put in. That’s probably the most frustrating thing right now for me. I’ve got to put up with people not playing hard because I don’t have nobody to put in.”
Baylor started the second half with a 13-3 run to thwart any thoughts of a comeback. Alexis Prince chipped in 13 points and Beatrice Mompremier scored 12 for the Bears, who won at the WVU Coliseum last January.
Lenay Montgomery and Tynice Martin had 11 points each for the Mountaineers, who couldn’t slow Baylor’s 12-game win streak.