The TCU Horned Frogs are making waves in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year with a hard-fought victory over Virginia. Saturday night’s showdown in Sacramento saw the Horned Frogs (32-5) come out on top with a 79-69 win against the Cavaliers (22-12).
Marta Suarez was the star of the night, delivering an impressive performance with 33 points and 10 rebounds, playing every minute of the game. Her efforts were instrumental in propelling TCU forward, as they now gear up to face the No. 1 seed, the South Carolina Gamecocks, in the Sacramento Region 4 final on Monday. This matchup will determine who earns a coveted spot in the Women’s Final Four-a stage TCU has yet to reach in its history.
The game was a nail-biter in the first half, with Virginia holding a slim 36-35 lead at halftime. However, TCU turned up the heat in the third quarter, outscoring the Cavaliers 24-11. Suarez was pivotal during this stretch, contributing 12 points, and setting the tone for the Horned Frogs' dominance.
Olivia Miles also shone brightly for TCU, adding 28 points, eight assists, and 10 rebounds, showcasing her all-around skill by playing the entire game. Meanwhile, Donovyn Hunter, despite playing all 40 minutes, didn’t find her scoring touch.
On the Virginia side, Paris Clark led with 20 points, while Kymora Johnson chipped in with 18 points and was the only Cavalier to play the full game.
TCU is not just chasing a Final Four berth but is also aiming to become the first Big 12 team to reach that stage since Baylor’s championship run in 2019. The Horned Frogs are on the brink of history, and their journey continues with a challenging test against South Carolina.