Wildcats Push Past Bulldogs, 59-46 in Nonconference Road Win

MCPHERSON, Kan. - Facing its fifth straight KCAC opponent, Baker women's basketball broke through with a 59-46 victory on the road at McPherson on Wednesday night in the final non-conference game before Heart play begins.

After trailing by one at the end of the first, the Wildcats used a big second quarter and a clutch final 10 minutes to come away with their first win of 2025-26.

It was a tough night offensively with neither side shooting over 30 percent from the floor. The key advantage came from the free throw line, where the Wildcats converted all but three of their 21 free throws compared to the Bulldogs, who shot a dismal 50 percent (11-of-22).

Skye Pepp posted a season-high 20 points and knocked down three of her five treys in the game to lead BU. Gabby Rose went 4-for-4 from the line to finish with 11 points, while Kennedy Bryan pulled down a team-best 12 rebounds and chipped in eight points.

Baker got off to an excellent start, jumping out to a 10-3 lead before the Bulldogs rallied in the final two minutes. Treys from Bryan and Mariah Dightman helped fuel the early run for BU, but McPherson scored eight unanswered to take an 11-10 lead after the first quarter.

Taniya Tease converted a three-point play to tie things up quickly into the second period, getting fouled on a jumper and knocking down her only free throw of the game. Rose kept the game knotted with a bucket off a baseline drive, but the Bulldogs stretched the lead after finally completing one of several three-point opportunities in the frame.

With four minutes left in the half, Pepp drained a three to tie the game once again at 20-20 and help spark a 14-1 run for BU. Rose contributed to the spurt with four free throws and an assist to Dightman on a roll to the bucket. Pepp sank two more from the charity stripe as the Wildcats went into the break with a 30-21 lead.

A three from Bryan pushed Baker's lead out to double digits in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs trimmed it to a four-point margin with less than three minutes left. Pepp knocked down a jumper to keep BU in front, giving the visitors a 39-35 lead going into the final period.

After McPherson made it a two-point game, Pepp responded on the following possession with a huge three and Rose splashed in another one a little bit later as the Wildcats countered the Bulldogs' run with a critical stretch to lead 47-37 with 5:41 left to play.

Pepp connected on one final triple as Baker carried its lead all the way to the end, finishing off a 13-point victory to give the Wildcats an extra boost heading into the conference season.

Baker opens Heart of America play with a matchup at home against Mount Mercy on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 12 p.m. in the Collins Center.

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