March Madness 2022: Baylor women blow out Hawaii for 19th straight 1st-round win

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Jordan Lewis knew Baylor's halftime lead was a little modest, and that Hawaii guard Amy Atwell was the reason.

So she wasn't surprised to hear what coach Nicki Collen had to say at the break.

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"The message was we gave up 20 points to one player," Lewis said. "And we didn't want to be the team that gave up an NCAA record."

Cue the third quarter, when Lewis and NaLyssa Smith combined to score the first 27 Baylor points as the Bears pulled away for their 19th consecutive first-round win in the women’s NCAA Tournament, overwhelming Hawaii 89-49 on Friday.

Baylor guard Jordan Lewis (3), forward NaLyssa Smith (1) and center Queen Egbo (4) celebrates on the bench during the second half of a college basketball game against Hawaii in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Waco, Texas, Friday, March 18, 2022. Baylor won 89-49.  (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Smith had 17 points and nine rebounds in the third, Lewis scored 12 and the Bears outscored the Rainbow Wahine 34-8 after leading by nine at halftime.

Queen Egbo had 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Bears (28-6), who were coming off a loss to Texas in the Big 12 tournament championship game after winning their 12th consecutive regular-season title.

Baylor, the No. 2 seed in the Wichita Region, will face South Dakota in the second round on Sunday. The 10th-seeded Coyotes beat Mississippi in the opener.

"Everyone was getting back on their feet from not playing a few days," Lewis said. "Coming out of the half, we wanted to separate ourselves and not keep the game close. Getting out and running in transition is where we do our best."

Atwell was limited to