Sept. 28, 2002

Box Score

NORMAN, Okla. - Despite double-doubles by Tisha Schwartz and Stella Odion, Baylor dropped a 35-33, 30-24, 27-30, 31-29 decision to Oklahoma here Saturday. The loss drops Baylor to 6-7 overall and 0-3 in Big 12 Conference play. Oklahoma improves to 4-8 and 2-2.

Schwartz led all players with 21 kills to go along with 10 digs and three blocks. Odion added 14 kills, 11 digs and seven blocks, all career highs, and Kelly Spriggs had 14 kills and five blocks. Jillian Mazzarella also found double-digit territory in kills, putting 10 on the floor; she also had 47 assists, seven digs and four blocks. Alison Heffner, playing in her first career match, chipped in with three blocks.

Baylor held Oklahoma to a .077 attacking percentage (18-15-50) in the first game. However, eight Oklahoma service aces and a .079 team attacking percentage (18-7-38) did in the Bears. Baylor fell behind 4-0 before storming back for a 12-9 lead. Oklahoma tied it at 14-14, but Baylor reclaimed control and built a 21-17 lead. The Sooners clawed back into the game and tied it at 29-29. From there, OU withstood four Baylor game points and then put the game away with three straight points.

The Bears started strong in game two, building a 9-4 lead. However, Oklahoma scored seven of the next eight points to take an 11-10 edge. The Sooners continued that run, scoring 12 of the next 18 points for a commanding 23-16 lead. Baylor pulled to within three points at 24-21 but could get no closer. Baylor's offense improved in the second game to .289 (18-7-38). Oklahoma was more potent, though, hitting.485 (19-3-33) in the second game.

Game three started out all Baylor as the Bears built a 5-1 lead. Oklahoma cut that to one at 8-7, but the Bears scored 10 of the next 14 points to build a commanding 18-11 advantage. The Sooners battled back into the game, closing to within three on several occasions and to within two at 29-27. But a Stella Odion middle-set kill ended the game.

Game four was a classic with 14 ties and six lead changes. With the score tied 11-11, Oklahoma scored seven straight points and appeared to be in control of the game. However, the Bears put together a furious rally, scoring 13 of the next 17 points to take a 24-22 lead. Nine consecutive side outs followed before Jessica Barney notched her sixth service ace of the day to put Oklahoma ahead 30-29. Baylor withstood one game point, but an Odion attack landed just wide to end the match.

Baylor finished the match with a .200 attacking percentage, while Oklahoma hit .247. The Bears tallied 14 blocks as a team, the most blocks by a Baylor squad since stuffing Kansas State 18 times Oct. 25, 2000.

The Bears return to action Wednesday, hosting Texas for a 7 p.m. CDT match at the Ferrell Center. The Bears and the Longhorns split last season's series with the home team winning both times.