Odyssey Sims and Destiny Williams Recognized
10:30 A.M., THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012

Baylor Lady Bears Odyssey Sims and Destiny Williams were each recognized and honored for the women's basketball team's recent NCAA national title. Sims was honored by the City of Irving while Williams was paid tribute to by Michigan Congressman Fred Upton.

Both players were starters on Baylor's 2012 NCAA Championship team and helped guide the Lady Bears to a perfect 40-0 season.

During their City Council work session on Wednesday, Irving city officials honored Irving MacArthur High grad, Sims, a sophomore point guard. Mayor

Beth Van Duyne read a proclamation declaring April 18, 2012, as Odyssey Sims Day in Irving.

Sims was born and raised in Irving, where she played at basketball at Irving's Lee Park Recreation Center. Her MacArthur High No. 3 jersey was the first jersey ever retired in Irving ISD.

A 2012 All-American and All-Big 12 performer, Sims averaged 14.9 points, 4.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. She was also named to both the Final Four and the Memphis Regional All-Tournament teams.

Williams, a 6-1 junior forward/post from Benton Harbor, Michigan and a graduate of Benton Harbor High School, averaged 10.1 points and 9.1 rebounds a contest for the Lady Bears. Williams was named a WBCA All-American honorable mention, was selected to the All-Tournament team at both the NCAA Tournament's Final Four and Memphis Regional and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection.

Congressman Upton gave a tribute in recognition of Williams. Upton made his tribute in the Congressional Record on April 16, 2012. The full text of Upton's remarks can be viewed here.

NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Highest-Rated and Most-Viewed Since 2004
10:30 A.M., SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

ESPN's telecast of the 2012 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship, an 80-61 Baylor victory over Notre Dame, on Tuesday averaged a 3.2 rating, 3,137,000 households and 4,244,000 viewers. The game stands as the network's highest-rated and most-viewed NCAA Women's Basketball Championship since 2004 and the fifth most-viewed since ESPN started televising the event in 1996. In 2004, ESPN averaged 4.3 rating, 3,801,000 households and 5,583,000 viewers for Connecticut's 70-61 win over Tennessee.

This year's telecast, documenting Baylor becoming the first women's or men's college basketball team to go 40-0, marked increases of 14 percent (vs. 2.8), 12 percent (vs. 2,804,000) and 11 percent (vs. 3,831,000), respectively, over last year.

Three-Game Final Four Up
In addition to the title game, ESPN's three-game Final Four coverage was the network's most-viewed Final Four average since 2004. The telecasts averaged a 2.6 rating, 2,600,000 households and 3,635,000 viewers for increases of eight percent (vs. 2.4), nine percent (vs. 2,380,000) and 13 percent (vs. 3,215,000), respectively, over 2011.

Second Most-Viewed NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
Overall, the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship was ESPN's second most-viewed ever behind last year's record-setting tournament. ESPN finished with an average of 1,836,000 viewers and 1,373,000 households based on a 1.4 rating. This year's overall rating is even with last season. The viewers and households are down two percent (vs. 1,878,000) and five percent (vs. 1,445,000), respectively.

ESPN3, WatchESPN & espnW
ESPN's digital platforms, ESPN3 and WatchESPN, also posted double-digit growth with a 16 percent increase in viewership on ESPN3 compared to 2011. In addition, espnW.com logged an average of 300,000 daily unique visitors during the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship

Sic 'em!

Did You Know?? 40 fun facts and quotes for this year's 40 wins
11:45 A.M., FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2012

ESPN.com women's basketball writer, Mechelle Voepel, compiled 40 fun facts and quotes about the Lady Bears' 40 wins this season.

A few examples include...

-Baylor began this season with a final score that was a palindrome: 82-28. The unfortunate victim was Howard.

-Brittney Griner is tied with former Stanford guard Candice Wiggins for most free throws made (99) in the NCAA tournament. Griner was 11-of-15 from the line in her two games at this Final Four.

-Below freezing: That's what you call anything under 32 degrees. But it's also a good description of Baylor's field goal percentage defense. Baylor held its opponents to 31 percent shooting from the field this season. Brrrrrrrrrrr.

-Brittney Griner has fouled out of a game only once in her career, which came her freshman season. Asked how she avoids fouling while blocking shots, Griner said, "Just playing smart; trying to keep my body away. Really don't need to body them up to block a shot."
As Destiny Williams puts it: "She has a very, very, very, very long arm."

To view the entire article, click here.

Sic 'em Lady Bears!

Sophia Young to Represent Silver Stars at NBA All-Star Weekend
4:45 P.M., WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, 2012

Former Lady Bear, and current WNBA player, Sophia Young will be representing the San Antonio Silver Stars in the 2012 Haier Shooting Stars competition. The competition will be held on Feb. 25 as part of All-Star Weekend.

The Haier Shooting Stars contest features one current NBA player, one current WNBA player and one NBA legend on each team. The Houston Rockets' Chandler Parsons and TNT analyst Kenny Smith will join Young on Team Texas.

For the contest, there are six numbered shooting locations around the court, and each team attempts to make all shots in numeric order in the fastest time. The team will select a specific player rotation to follow throughout the competition, and each shot must be made before the next player begins shooting. Teams have up to two minutes to complete the entire shooting course and the team that completes all six shots in the least amount of time is declared the winner. In the case of a tie, a shoot-off will be used to determine the winner.

Haier Shooting Stars will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm. TNT and ESPN Radio's national coverage will begin at 7 p.m. CST.

Young graduated from Baylor in 2006 and is a four-time WNBA All-Star and three-time All-WNBA honoree. She helped lead the Lady Bears to the National Championship in 2005.

Lady Bears Shine Overseas: Feb. 12 - Feb. 21
4:30 P.M., WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, 2012

Bernice Mosby and Cajarural had two games last week. They won the first game over Ibiza, 88-71. Mosby had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds to help her team to the victory. But the team's next opponent proved to be too tough for Cajarural. The team lost to fourth-ranked Mann Filter, 67-54. Cajarural's next game is against Gran Canaria on Feb. 25, followed by a home game on March 3 against Rachel Allison's team, Arranz-Jopisa Burgos!

Allison and Arranz-Jopisa Burgos had two big victories this week. They beat Cadi le Seu 77-39 on Feb. 15, followed by an 85-77 victory over Mariana on Feb. 18. Allison didn't play in the game against Cadi le Seu, but had 19 points and three rebounds against Mariana. Allison leads her team in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per game, and is second on the team in rebounds, averaging 6.8 per game. Arranz-Jopisa Burgos will play a home game against Girona on Friday, Feb. 24.

In Italy, Abiola Wabara and Cagliari also had two games this week. They won their first game, 81-77 over Pozzuoli on Feb. 12, but lost on the road at Lucca on Feb. 19, 71-56. Wabara led her team in the win over Pozzuoli with 14 points and eight rebounds. Cagliari's next games will be against Umbertide on Feb. 26 and Bracco Geas on March 4.

The regular season is almost done, so keep checking back to see how your former Lady Bears finish up the last few games!

By Emily Anne Moore

Lady Bears Shine Overseas: Jan. 31 - Feb. 7
2:45 P.M., TUESDAY, FEB. 7, 2012

It was a light week for the former Lady Bears playing overseas, each team only playing one game. Here's a look at the results.

Bernice Mosby and her team, Cajarural, played on the road this week. Unfortunately, the team wasn't able to stay on a win streak, losing 72-55 against sixth ranked Mariana on Saturday. Mosby had a double-double in the game, scoring 15 points and bringing down 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to secure the victory. Cajarural is set to take on Girona on Wednesday.

Rachel Allison and her team, Arranz-Jopisa Burgos, traveled to Navarra for a Saturday road game, and they came away with a win. The team beat Navarra, 71-61. Allison finished the game with 21 points, eight rebounds and one block. Arranz-Jopisa Burgos will take on Real C. Vigo on Wednesday.

It was a tough week in Italy as Abiola Wabara and her team, Cagliari, lost at home to Basket Parma. Wabara had 11 points and six rebounds, but Cagliari wasn't able to win the game, losing 86-81. Cagliari's next game is against Pozzuoli on Feb. 12.

Check back next week for more game updates!

By Emily Anne Moore

Lady Bears Shine Overseas: Jan. 22 - Jan. 30
3:15 P.M., MONDAY, JAN. 30, 2012

By Emily Anne Moore

Lady Bears Shine Overseas: Jan. 8 - Jan. 21
4:45 P.M., MONDAY, JAN. 23, 2012

Welcome back! We took a break over the holidays, but we are back and excited to keep you up to date on the former Lady Bears' action overseas.

Bernice Mosby continues to lead her team, Cajarural. Cajarural lost its last two games by a combined 8 points, losing 77-80 in overtime against Navarra and 59-64 against Real C. Vigo. Mosby had a double-double in both games, with 16 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to Navarra, and 11 points and 11 rebounds against Real C. Vigo. Mosby leads her team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. 

Over the break, Rachel Allison joined a new Spanish team. She has played three games with her new team, Arranz-Jopisa Burgos. The team lost its last two games, falling 70-88 against Rivas Ecopolis on Jan. 8, and 54-75 against Gran Canaria on Jan. 14. Allison started in both games, playing 30 minutes and scoring five points against Rivas Ecopolis. She played 33 minutes and scored four points in the loss to Gran Canaria. After three games with her new team, Allison averages 7.3 points and six rebounds per game.

Abiola Wabara and her team, Cagliari, also lost both games this week. The team fell to Taranto, 58-72, on Jan. 8 and lost against Faenza, 62-66, on Jan. 15. Wabara is ranked third on her team, averaging 8.3 points per game. 

Don't forget to keep checking back each week for more updates!

By Emily Anne Moore

Lady Bear Fans, Did you Know???????????
4:00 P.M., THURSDAY, JAN. 5, 2012

- Baylor has spent 16 weeks at No. 1 in The Associated Press Poll which ranks eighth all-time.
- BU has been ranked in a school-record 156 straight AP polls dating back to week nine of the 2003-04 listing when it broke in at No. 24.
- Brittney Griner has registered a Big 12 record 468 career blocked shots.
- Brittney Griner ranks No. 6 on BU's career scoring chart with 1,798 points and needs six to climb to No. 5 (she'll pass Danielle Crockrom).
- Baylor is the only school to have its women's basketball (No. 1), men's basketball (No. 4) and football (No. 15) teams ranked among the AP Top 25.
- The Lady Bears are 52-4 over their last 56 games.
- BU registered its first 14-0 start in school history. The Lady Bears began the 2000-01season 13-0.
- Baylor is the only Division I school with both its men's (14-0) and women's (14-0) basketball teams sporting perfect records.
- The Lady Bears sport a school-record 32-game home win streak, BU's last home loss came vs. Texas on March 7, 2009, 70-54.
- For the first time in her 86-game career, Brittney Griner did not go to the free throw line when she was 0-0 from the charity stripe vs. Missouri.
- Baylor hasn't allowed an opponent to shoot 50 percent from the field in 188 straight games, dating back to March 25, 2006.
- The Lady Bears' victory in Knoxville earlier this season snapped the Lady Vols' 38-game home win streak.
- Baylor is 4-0 vs. 2011-12 ranked opponents, including a 3-0 mark vs. top 10 teams. e

Lady Bears Shine Overseas: Week of Dec. 3 - Dec. 9
4:15 P.M., FRIDAY, DEC. 9, 2011

It was a tough week for the former Lady Bears playing overseas. Here's a look at the most recent scores.

Bernice Mosby and her tenth-ranked team, Cajarural, lost on the road to ninth-ranked Mann Filter 66-51 on Dec. 3. Mosby helped her team by earning a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes of play, but Cajarurual was unable to come away with the victory. Mosby continues to lead her team in points and rebounds averaging 15.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Cajarural's next game will be on Saturday against Gran Canaria.

Rachel Allison also suffered a loss this week as Arxil Pontevedra traveled to Universitario de Ferrol on Dec. 3. Ferrol forced 28 Arxil Pontevedra turnovers to help win the game 71-62. Allison led her team, scoring 25 points and bringing down seven rebounds. Arxil Pontevedra will play close rival Aguere on Saturday.

Aby Wabara and her Italian team, Cagliari, lost to Bracco Geas on Dec. 4, 75-63. Cagliari had three players score in double figures, led by Wabara who had 13 points. Wabara leads her team, averaging 10.3 points and six rebounds per game. Cagliari's next game will be against Priolo on Sunday.

Angela Tisdale's team, Halle, did not have a game this week. They are set to play second-ranked Wolfenbuettel on Saturday.

Check back next week for more!

By Emily Anne Moore

Lady Bears Shine Overseas: Week of Nov. 27 - Dec. 2
4:30 P.M., FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2011

Welcome back! We had a break last week for Thanksgiving, so here's a look at the action overseas for the last couple of weeks.

Bernice Mosby helped lead Cajarural against third-ranked Rivas Ecopolis on Nov. 19 and Ibiza on Nov. 26. Cajarural was unable to pull out the victory against Rivas Ecopolis, losing 83-76, but Mosby contributed a team-high 16 points and brought down three rebounds in 32 minutes of play. She continued to lead her team in the next game, helping Cajarural win 62-56 over Ibiza. Mosby had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Rachel Allison had a double-double in Arxil Pontevedra's win over Aros Leon on Nov. 20. She scored 19 points and had 14 rebounds to lead the team. Unfortunately, Arxil Pontevedra was not able to get the victory in the next game against sixth-ranked Codigalco Carmelitas, losing 62-56. Allison scored nine points and had six rebounds in that game.

It was a tough week for Aby Wabara and her team, Cagliari. The Italian team lost both games, losing 54-51 against second-ranked Lucca on Nov. 20 and 76-50 against third-ranked Umbertide on Nov. 27. Wabara had six points and 11 rebounds against Lucca. She led the team with 14 points and added five rebounds in the game against Umbertide.

Angela Tisdale continues to lead her new German team, Halle. Tisdale scored 23 points in 35 minutes of play, leading her team to a 79-72 victory against Chemnitz on Nov. 19. Unfortunately, Halle was not able to get the victory over top-ranked Eisvogel Freiburg on Nov. 26. Tisdale had eight points and four assists in the 83-61 loss.

Throughout the season, we hope to catch up with the players and share with you how they are enjoying living and playing overseas.

We talked to Aby last week. Here's a quick look at some of her recent activities, including a visit from another former Lady Bear.

"Last month Sophia Young came to visit me and we had a great time. We went to visit Rome, and hung out at the beach!"

On celebrating Thanksgiving in Italy...
"Being that I am not American, Thanksgiving is not a holiday for me to celebrate. But I do love the food, so my American teammates and I are getting together at my house, and we will have a nice dinner with a few of our Italian teammates who are curious about the food eaten for the occasion!"

Keep checking back each week for more!

By Emily Anne Moore