TCU Falls to Texas Tech in Defensive Battle: Three Key Takeaways from the Horned Frogs’ 62-60 Loss
When No. 12 TCU and No.
21 Texas Tech met in Lubbock on Sunday, it was a clash between the two stingiest defenses in the Big 12 - and it played out exactly that way. In a gritty, physical contest at United Supermarkets Arena, the Horned Frogs came up just short, falling 62-60 to the Red Raiders in a game that could have long-term implications in the conference race.
Despite a late rally and a clutch three-pointer to tie the game in the final minute, TCU couldn’t contain Texas Tech’s Snudda Collins, who poured in 28 points and hit the game-winning shot. Let’s break down what stood out in a game defined by hustle, missed opportunities, and postseason-level intensity.
1. Marta Suárez Delivers in the Paint
With star guard Olivia Miles having an off night by her standards - 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting, along with four assists and six boards - TCU needed someone else to shoulder the load. Enter Marta Suárez.
The forward turned in a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, plus two steals and two assists. She did most of her damage inside, using her size and footwork to carve out space and finish against smaller Red Raider defenders. On a day when points were hard to come by, Suárez’s effort in the paint kept TCU within striking distance.
But as head coach Mark Campbell noted postgame, the Horned Frogs left too many points on the table.
“We had plenty of shots at the rim. I thought we missed too many easy shots right around the basket, especially in the first half,” Campbell said. “We got a lot of bunnies that we didn’t make... we’ve got to be able to finish those baskets.”
Suárez did her part, but she couldn’t do it alone - and the Horned Frogs’ inability to capitalize around the rim proved costly in a game decided by two points.
2. Texas Tech Wins the Hustle Battle
Campbell didn’t mince words after the game. While he praised his team’s defensive effort, he pointed to the little things - the 50-50 balls, offensive rebounds, and extra-effort plays - as the difference-makers.
“They just made all those hustle plays... and on the road, you got to come up with all those little extra things to get the job done, and today, we didn’t do that.”
Texas Tech didn’t just out-rebound TCU - they dominated the offensive glass, more than doubling the Horned Frogs in that category. That gave the Red Raiders crucial second-chance opportunities, especially in a game where every possession mattered.
And while TCU tied the game at 55 with under a minute to go - thanks to a sharp drive from Miles and a corner three from Donovyn Hunter - it was Collins who had the final say. She came down and drilled a contested three over Hunter to put Tech back in front for good. It was the kind of shot that defines games - and seasons.
3. Cold Shooting from Deep Proves Costly
Coming into the matchup, TCU ranked second in the Big 12 in three-point shooting at 36%. But on Sunday, their perimeter touch went missing for most of the game.
Through the first three quarters, the Horned Frogs were just 1-for-8 from beyond the arc. They found a little rhythm late, going 4-for-10 from deep in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early drought. Their five total makes from three marked a season low.
Texas Tech’s defense deserves credit here. They keyed in on TCU’s shooters, closed out hard, and didn’t give up clean looks. The Horned Frogs had to work for every shot, and even when they got open ones, the shots just didn’t fall.
What It Means for the Big 12 Race
TCU entered the game tied with Baylor atop the Big 12 standings at 8-1 in conference play. The loss drops them to 8-2, but they dodged a bigger hit thanks to Baylor’s loss at West Virginia on the same day. That keeps the Horned Frogs and Bears locked in a tie for first place - for now.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech is now just one game back in the standings, and with a head-to-head win over TCU, they’ve inserted themselves firmly into the title conversation.
What’s Next
TCU will look to bounce back quickly with a home matchup against Houston on Wednesday night at Schollmaier Arena. With February now underway and the Big 12 race heating up, every game carries weight - and the Horned Frogs know they’ll need to be sharper, tougher, and more efficient if they want to stay on top.