Baylor Opens Season With 87-66 Win Over FDU
Kayla Nelms recorded her first career double-double as Baylor beat Fairleigh Dickinson at Foster Pavilion in Waco.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Baylor defeated FDU 87-66 on Monday night at Foster Pavilion in its season opener. The Bears jumped out to an early lead and pushed it to 20 points in the second quarter before FDU went on a 5-0 run.
Why it matters
The opener gives Baylor an early read on its rotation, with several players returning from injury or working under minutes restrictions. Upcoming games will test how quickly those players can contribute full-time minutes.
Kayla Nelms scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Trinity Turner recorded 10 assists with zero turnovers in the 87-66 win over FDU. Taliah Scott scored 15 points in just over 20 minutes after returning from an ankle injury, and the timetable for her full workload has not been announced.
The players
Nicki Collen
Nicki Collen is the head coach of the Baylor women's basketball program, and her pregame huddle with Kayla Nelms reportedly helped improve Nelms' confidence before the opener.
Kayla Nelms
Kayla Nelms is a Baylor women's basketball player who recorded her first career double-double in the season opener.
The details
Baylor took an early lead by hitting four of its first five shots and extended it to 20 in the second quarter. FDU responded with a 5-0 run before Baylor closed the game with a late 7-0 run that pushed the margin past 30.
Timeline
Monday night: Baylor defeats FDU 87-66 at Foster Pavilion in Waco.
Thursday at 7 p.m.: Baylor faces Central Arkansas at Foster Pavilion.
Season Trajectory
An early 21-point win over a non-conference opponent gives Baylor a useful baseline as it begins a stretch of home games at Foster Pavilion. How the team handles Thursday's matchup against Central Arkansas will show whether the opening performance was an early positive sign or a result of FDU's shortcomings.
Fantasy managers tracking Trinity Turner and Kayla Nelms will want to watch their assist and rebound workloads heading into Thursday. Fans attending Foster Pavilion should expect Taliah Scott and Kate Koval to remain on minutes restrictions while they return from injury.
The takeaway
Early-season box scores can show which players are ready for larger roles, and tracking minutes for returning players like Scott and Koval will clarify how deep Baylor's rotation really is.
What happens next
Baylor plays Central Arkansas on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Foster Pavilion in Waco.
Further reading
Follow the team's progress in Waco Basketball coverage as the season moves into its home stretch.
