Odyssey Sims added 18 points with six assists and four steals. Destiny Williams had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the defending national champion Lady Bears, who have won 42 games in a row.
After unfurling their 2012 national championship banner high from the rafters at the Ferrell Center before the game, the Lady Bears (2-0) went on to build a 46-19 halftime lead against the defending SEC champions who returned four starters and are favored to win that league again.
A’dia Mathies, the reigning SEC Player of the Year, had 12 points on 3 of 18 shooting for Kentucky (1-1). Bria Goss had 11 points.
Griner missed her first two shots, and put Baylor up 13-8 when she finally scored on a layup 6½ minutes into the game. That started a 2-minute span when the 6-foot-8 All-American scored 10 points, extended the lead to 23-13.
She then made 11 consecutive field goals before missing a short hook shot with just under 10 minutes left in the game. By that time Baylor led 69-33, and Griner was out of the game for good on the next timeout.
NO. 22 OKLAHOMA STATE 74, MISSOURI STATE 71
In Springfield, Mo., Liz Donohoe scored 24 points and Tiffany Bias made four free throws in the final 24 seconds as Oklahoma State (2-0) held off Missouri State (0-1).
Lindsey Keller had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Cowgirls. Toni Young added 13 points and Bias finished with 12 points,.
Tyonna Snow led the Bearswith 19 points.
