AMES, Iowa (AP) — Nalyssa Smith scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 9 Baylor held on to beat Iowa State 85-77 on Sunday and remain alone atop the Big 12 standings.

The Lady Bears (12-2, 7-1 Big 12) had lost their last two meetings with the Cyclones, including a 75-71 defeat on Jan. 6.

Baylor had not lost three in a row against a Big 12 rival since Oklahoma put together a four-game winning streak against the Lady Bears from 2005 to 2007.

Dijonai Carrington contributed 17 points to the Lady Bears’ victory. Moon Ursin added 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Ashley Joens led Iowa State (11-6, 7-3) with 25 points and seven rebounds.

Baylor was sluggish early, hitting just two of its first 11 shots and falling behind the Cyclones 17-11 in the first quarter.

The Lady Bears surged ahead in the second quarter with a 16-5 run to go ahead 38-30.

Iowa State took a brief 59-57 lead in the third quarter and was within 72-70 early in the fourth.

Baylor gradually pulled away on consecutive baskets by Smith and a jump from Carrington that gave the Lady Bears a 78-70 cushion with 4:24 left to play.

The Cyclones were able to stay close by making 12 of their first 21 3-point attempts (57.1 percent) before fading.

Joens, who began this weekend as one of only two players nationally averaging more than 24 points and nine rebounds, scored 16 first half points, despite having three fouls.

BIG PICTURE:

Baylor has been ranked among the top 10 for 122 straight weeks, dating to 2015.

UP NEXT:

Baylor: The Lady Bears’ next three opponents (Kansas, Kansas State and Texas Tech) all have losing records in the Big 12. They host Texas (6-3, 12-4 overall) on Feb. 14.

Iowa State plays at No. 24 West Virginia on Wednesday.

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