Baylor's Taliah Scott is announcing herself as one of the top transfers in the country
Baylor guard Taliah Scott didn’t need a month to establish herself as the Lady Bears’ offensive engine. She needed five games. The former Auburn Tigers standout has launched her Baylor career with one of the most electric scoring starts in the nation, and Thursday night’s 57–52 loss to the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes only reinforced how central she already is.
Scott poured in 32 points in 36 minutes, keeping seventh-ranked Baylor within reach despite an offense that struggled everywhere else. At times, she was Baylor’s entire lifeline including single-handedly swinging momentum with 12 straight points to open the fourth quarter. Through five games, she’s averaging 26.0 points, shooting nearly 46 percent, and getting to the free throw line 8.8 times per game, the highest mark among players in the Power Four conferences.
Taliah Scott vs Iowa:
— Conrado Pascual (@CP3_777) November 21, 2025
• 32 PTS
• 3 REB
• 1 STL
Scott finishes the game scoring 32 of Baylor’s 52 points. Scott continues to serve as the Bears’ offensive catalyst without ever forcing the issue. Her ability to sense an emerging gap in the D is >>>pic.twitter.com/KSa3K58xgb https://t.co/UdMssXrOTB
Elite Start, Heavy Burden
Thursday’s box score told one story. The season data tells an even louder one: Scott is doing nearly everything for this Baylor roster.
She leads the team in scoring (26.0 PPG) by double digits, in minutes (34.5 MPG), and ranks second in assists (5.0 APG). The next-highest scorer, senior forward Bella Fontleroy, is averaging 14.0 points in 27.3 minutes. Senior forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs—Baylor’s Wooden Award Top-50 nominee—ranks second in minutes (28.8) and is averaging 12.5 points and 9.8 rebounds, but she was held scoreless against Iowa.
Senior guard Jana Van Gytenbeek leads the team in assists (5.3 APG), yet she’s averaging just 2.5 points per game and shooting 15 percent from the field. That imbalance has forced Scott into a high-usage role from day one, a role she’s embraced but cannot carry alone indefinitely.
Iowa exposed the danger of that dynamic. Once the Hawkeyes tightened their coverage late, Baylor missed its final 10 shots and Scott missed her last five attempts. With no secondary scoring threat to relieve pressure, Iowa’s 9–0 closing run felt inevitable.
A Five-Game Offensive Clinic
Scott’s production isn’t a fluke. It’s a pattern:
- 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists vs. No. 7 Duke
- 29 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists vs. Lindenwood
- 23 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists vs. UNLV
- 22 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists vs. Le Moyne
- 32 points, 3 rebounds vs. No. 19 Iowa
Scott has undeniably changed the ceiling of this team. Now Baylor must build the kind of balanced attack that can match what their emerging star is giving them every night.
Her start makes one thing clear: the Lady Bears have a centerpiece. The next step is developing a support system worthy of her rise.
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Jalon Dixon is a sports journalist with a passion for covering basketball at every level. He has written extensively on men’s and women’s college basketball, as well as the NBA, building a reputation for clear analysis and thoughtful storytelling. His work focuses on the players, programs, and trends shaping the sport, offering readers insight that goes beyond the box score. Whether breaking down a key matchup or highlighting emerging talent, Jalon’s goal is to provide balanced coverage that connects fans to the game’s strategy, culture, and ongoing evolution.