The TCU Horned Frogs women's basketball team showed no signs of slowing down as they dominated Houston with a 72-50 victory, completing a season sweep of the Cougars. Fresh off emotional wins against Baylor and West Virginia, TCU could have stumbled in this matchup, but instead, they delivered another commanding performance.
The dynamic duo of Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez once again took center stage. In their previous encounter with Houston, they combined for 49 points, outscoring the Cougars on their own.
This time, they nearly repeated the feat, contributing 39 points together. After leading 41-19 at halftime, Suarez and Miles quickly put the game out of reach.
Suarez hit a crucial three-pointer, followed by an inside basket from Miles, and the lead ballooned to 50-25 with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter. Suarez finished the night with 21 points, while Miles added 18.
Looking ahead, TCU is set to host Iowa State on Sunday. Here are three key takeaways from their latest victory:
Long Distance Success
TCU wasted no time seizing control of the game, thanks to their impressive three-point shooting. Ranked in the top 15 nationally for three-pointers made per game, the Horned Frogs nearly matched their average with eight in the first half alone, building a commanding 41-19 halftime lead.
Taylor Bigby kicked things off with the first basket of the game, and Miles followed with three triples in the opening quarter. The barrage continued as Donovyn Hunter added another three-pointer during a 7-0 run.
TCU ended the night with 11 three-pointers, with Miles and Suarez accounting for eight of them, while holding Houston to a mere 14% from beyond the arc.
Another Defensive Showcase
While Miles and Suarez often steal the spotlight with their scoring, TCU's defensive prowess deserves equal recognition. Their 11 three-pointers were crucial, but the Horned Frogs' defensive effort was just as vital, stifling Houston's offense throughout the game.
In the first half, TCU held the Cougars to just 16% shooting. The Horned Frogs' defensive chemistry was evident with crisp rotations and aggressive play in the passing lanes.
Kennedy Basham, with four blocks, and Clara Silva, with two, anchored the paint, forcing Houston into tough, contested shots. On the perimeter, Hunter and Bigby set a relentless tone, even in the absence of veteran guard Maddie Scherr.
The Most Important Result
While TCU took care of business in Houston, they received an unexpected assist from Texas Tech. The Red Raiders shook up the Big 12 standings with an 87-52 victory over No.
15 Baylor. This win moved TCU into sole possession of first place in the conference, as Baylor dropped to 11-4.
Despite Texas Tech holding a tiebreaker over TCU, the Horned Frogs are now the only team controlling their destiny with one fewer league loss. If TCU wins out, including a crucial rematch against Baylor on March 1, they will successfully defend their regular season championship crown.