Texas 61, No. 8 Baylor 51

2/13/2008 11:03 PM

By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -The new kid on the Big 12 block had to take a few punches from the neighborhood bullies on her first trip around the league.

The second trip around is payback time.

Brittainey Raven scored 18 points and Texas stunned No. 8 Baylor 61-51 on Wednesday night, giving coach Gail Goestenkors her biggest win in her first season with the Longhorns.

Texas (16-8, 4-6) snapped a three-game losing streak, each of the losses coming against ranked league opponents. One of those was a 61-60 loss at Baylor on Jan. 30.

``We just felt more comfortable with round two,'' said Goestenkors of winning her first league rematch. ``I have a higher level of confidence.''

The win should be a huge boost for a program itching to return to the NCAA tournament after missing it the last two years. The Longhorns were left out last year largely because of a 6-10 finish in the Big 12.

``We're growing as a team, and each experience has us much better and wiser,'' Goestenkors said. ``And when (Baylor) made a run, we withstood the run, kept our poise, and made a run of our own.''

Texas won this one with trapping, pressure defense that forced 19 turnovers and stymied Lady Bears point guard Angela Tisdale into a 1-for-10 shooting night.

Baylor (21-3, 9-2) shot 35 percent and scored its fewest points of the season. The Lady Bears shot 2-of-11 on 3 pointers and struggled from the free throw line, missing 9 of 20 in dropping their first loss to an unranked opponent since the 2003 women's NIT.

``They were real aggressive with their trapping defense,'' said Baylor forward Jessica Morrow, who led the Bears with 19 points. ``Their defense was good tonight and we couldn't adjust.''

Raven, who managed just seven points in the first matchup with Baylor, hit two 3-pointers and scored 11 points in the final seven minutes to keep the Bears from making a run to win the game.

Texas led 39-37 when Raven hit her first 3-pointer and her second put Texas up 47-41 with 5:52 to play. The Bears got within 52-49 on a layup by Morrow but never could make the push to tie to take the lead.

``Once I hit the first one I felt good about it. Once I start hitting a couple of outside shots, it helps my confidence,'' Raven said.

Texas closed it out with a 9-2 run over the final two minutes. Baylor's last chance came after Morrow stole the ball with 1 minute left and had a chance to cut it to two, but Raven snuck in behind her in the lane to poke the ball away.

Erneisha Bailey added 13 points and Ashley Linsdey had 10 points and four blocks for the Longhorns.

``The bottom line is, their guards made big shots late in the game,'' said Bears coach Kim Mulkey. ``Texas has lost some heartbreakers this year and they won one tonight.''