TCU Women’s Hoops Makes a Statement in Big 12 Opener, Rolls Past Kansas State
Ten months ago, TCU’s high-octane offense was bottled up by Kansas State in a grind-it-out loss. This time around? The Horned Frogs flipped the script - and then some.
In front of a lively home crowd at Schollmaier Arena, No. 9 TCU opened Big 12 play with a commanding 77-55 win over the Wildcats, avenging one of just two conference losses from last season. The win wasn’t just about revenge - it was a showcase of dominance on both ends of the floor, led by a star performance from Olivia Miles and a defensive wall in the paint courtesy of Clara Silva.
Kansas State came out swinging, shooting a blistering 60% midway through the first quarter and holding a slim 15-14 lead with just over two minutes left in the opening frame. But that early burst didn’t last long. TCU’s defense tightened, Silva began to impose her will around the rim, and Miles started heating up.
Silva - all 6-foot-7 of her - changed the tone of the game defensively. She blocked a pair of shots and altered several more, forcing the Wildcats to think twice before attacking the paint.
On the other end, Miles got to work. She sliced through the defense for a layup and knocked down a smooth pull-up jumper at the buzzer to close the first quarter, giving TCU a 20-15 lead and all the momentum.
With leading scorer Marta Suarez struggling early - she missed five of her first six shots - the Horned Frogs needed someone to carry the offensive load. Miles delivered. She dropped 15 of her season-high 29 points in the first half, pushing TCU to a 39-26 lead at the break.
And while TCU’s offense was humming, the defense was just as impressive. After that hot start, Kansas State cooled off dramatically, finishing the half shooting just 32.3%. Taryn Sides, the Wildcats’ top scorer, was held to just two points, thanks to a relentless defensive effort from Donovyn Hunter and Maddie Scherr, who hounded her all game.
The third quarter was where the Horned Frogs slammed the door shut. Miles continued to put on a clinic - including one dazzling sequence where she left her defender in the dust with a nasty series of dribble moves before gliding in for a layup. Later in the quarter, TCU executed a textbook half-court set, with Silva catching the ball at the high post and threading a perfect pass to a cutting Miles for another easy bucket.
Even without hitting a single three-pointer in the third quarter, TCU extended its lead to 59-37. That’s how efficient and in control they were - carving up the Wildcats with ball movement, paint touches, and suffocating defense.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the outcome was never in doubt. TCU cruised the rest of the way, notching its 34th consecutive home win and extending its Big 12 winning streak to 11 games.
Now, the Horned Frogs get a well-earned breather over the holidays before returning to action on December 31 with a road trip to BYU. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, this team is locked in, loaded, and ready to chase something special this season.