Texas teams hold court in Phillips 66® Big 12 Basketball Championship Tournaments

The Phillips 66^® Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships returned to the hardwood after a year’s COVID-19-induced hiatus, and two teams from Texas sure made them memorable. 

Third-seeded Texas edged Oklahoma State 91-86 in Saturday’s final at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, becoming the first men’s team from the Lone Star State to win a Big 12 tournament title.  

On the women’s side, top-seeded Baylor claimed its third straight Big 12 tournament title — and 11^th overall — with Sunday’s 76-50 victory over No. 2 West Virginia at the nearby Municipal Auditorium.  

“Phillips 66 congratulates the Longhorns and the Lady Bears on their well-deserved victories,” Phillips 66 Vice President of Global Marketing Pam McGinnis said. “It was exciting to have Big 12 Championship basketball back on the court. We’re proud to be the title sponsor.” 

Phillips 66’s ties to the Big 12 — and Kansas City — run deep. The Phillips 66^® Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships stand as the longest-running sponsorship partnership in collegiate history, dating to 1988 and the Big Eight Conference, which was headquartered in Kansas City. 

Phillips 66 historically has enjoyed a strong presence in the Kansas City fuels market. The company also owns logistics and other assets in the area that further strengthen its supply position. 

The longstanding sponsorship includes the Live to the Full^® Heroes program, which since 2018 has honored individuals who go above and beyond to serve their communities through sports and education by helping to further their programs and efforts. After an unprecedented year, Phillips 66 is recognizing the dedication of Kansas City-area teachers by donating $66,000 to provide requested supplies for classrooms, including virtual-learning materials, books and art supplies. Click here to learn more.

“At Phillips 66, we’re committed to providing energy and improving lives in the communities in which we live, work and play,” McGinnis said.  

Phillips 66 also got creative about engaging fans at home, giving away 1,000 Home Court Fan Kits — complete with a full-size basketball, branded items and apparel, and a gas discount promo code — as part of a sweepstakes that garnered more than 14,000 entries.  

A year after being canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournaments were held under strict health and safety protocols. Fan capacity at the venues was limited, and mask-wearing was mandatory. 

Perennial contender and No. 2 seed Kansas withdrew from Friday’s semifinal against Texas after one of its players tested positive for COVID-19, paving the way for the Longhorns’ faceoff against the fifth-seeded Cowboys, which stunned top-seeded Baylor in the other semifinal.  

Texas got clutch performances from seniors Matt Coleman III and Jericho Sims, who combined for 51 points in the win over OSU. The victory earned the Longhorns an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. 

The Lady Bears enjoyed strong play from Big 12 Women’s Player of the Year NaLyssa Smith on their way to the title game. When Smith got into foul trouble early against West Virginia, junior center Queen Egbo (18 points, 11 rebounds) and senior guard DiJonai Carrington (14 points) lifted Baylor.  

“While our lives have been impacted in many ways over the past year, we still enjoy watching our favorite teams compete,” McGinnis said. “And we’re proud to support players and fans who live to the full every day.”