Feisty Kim Mulkey, Top-Ranked Baylor Lady Bears “Pay Back” Defending Champs

Renowned for her aggressive nature, Baylor Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey took “feisty” to a whole new level Saturday night at the Ferrell Center in Waco.

The powers-that-be had invited Gary Blair and his defending NCAA Champion Texas A&M Lady Aggies, on their way to the Southeastern Conference, over for an evening of dinner and dancing—to the country croonings of Trace Adkins.

When UConn’s iconic Geno Auriemma brought his girls to Waco a couple of months ago, the Ferrell faithful greeted him with a heart-felt ovation before seeing the "Game of the Year".

But Mulkey and her undefeated, top-ranked squad offered no such Southern hospitality on this night, especially not for these guests who’d so unceremoniously halted their championship aspirations a season ago on the doorsteps of the Final Four.

During a surprisingly easy trek through the normally stout conference grind, Mulkey has taken advantage of the opportunity to sharpen, expand and diversify the attack of her extraordinarily deep and talented unit.  The power forwards Destiny Williams and Brooklyn Pope have been fine-tuning their post games while Kimetria Hayden’s versatile offensive skills continue to reveal themselves.

But on this night, for this opponent, Coach Kim decided she was gonna dance with the ones that brung her.

In other words, it was time again for the Brittney Griner and Odyssey Sims show.

On the game’s first possession, Sims fed Griner on a cut to the low post perfectly, for a three-point play.

Though A&M’s Tyra White countered immediately with a short jumper, three time-outs would ensue before White could double both her and her team’s output.

By then, Baylor had added 14, all but two courtesy of their Dynamic Duo.

Indeed, by halftime, Griner and Sims alone had outscored the Blair's Bunch 26-21.

And the picture got didn't get any prettier or more merciful in the second half.

The Baylor lead peaked at 33 (70-37) with just under five minutes to go, yet Mulkey did not pull her studs until the final minute.

So, did the spunky Baylor coach let petulance get the better of her?

While Gary Blair’s post-game comments to the media seemed rather innocuous and appropriately praising, he did pause for a moment with his counterpart during the on-court handshakes.

Oh, to be a loose thread on ol’ Gary’s lapel, huh?

It’s highly doubtful that a veteran, championship-caliber coach like Kim Mulkey would succumb to emotion.

More likely, she wants a tougher tournament tune-up for her players from one of her mentors when this friendly rivalry resumes, perhaps for the final time, in College Station in a couple of weeks.

Howdy, and Adios!