TCU Women’s Basketball Stays Perfect, Pulls Away Late to Top BYU in Big 12 Clash
The TCU Horned Frogs are starting to make this look routine.
Ranked No. 8 in the country and still unbeaten, TCU improved to 14-0 (2-0 Big 12) with a convincing 72-48 win over BYU on New Year’s Eve in Provo, Utah. It was the kind of performance that shows why this team is making noise not just in the Big 12, but on the national stage - especially considering it was their first true road game since mid-November.
BYU (12-2, 1-1) came into the matchup with just one loss and didn’t back down early. The Cougars had the Horned Frogs in a tight game through most of the first half, and even trailed by just two midway through the third quarter.
But TCU didn’t blink. Instead, they did what great teams do - they found another gear.
Let’s break down how they did it.
Sheffey Sparks, Then the Horned Frogs Surge
With BYU hanging around late in the second quarter - down just 27-25 - senior guard Veronica Sheffey came off the bench and delivered a momentum-shifting burst. In a span of moments, she rattled off a personal 6-0 run, hitting a three and sinking three free throws to give TCU some breathing room heading into halftime. It was a subtle turning point, the kind of contribution that doesn’t always make headlines but changes the rhythm of a game.
That cushion proved valuable, because BYU wouldn’t go away quietly. Midway through the third quarter, the Horned Frogs found themselves clinging to a 38-36 lead. That’s when the switch flipped.
Graduate transfer guard Olivia Miles stepped up and buried a three to ignite a 12-2 TCU run. Senior guard Taylor Bigby capped it off with a bucket that pushed the lead to 50-38 just before the end of the third quarter. From that point on, it was all Horned Frogs.
Fourth Quarter Domination
TCU’s fourth quarter was a clinic in how to close out a game on the road. They outscored BYU 22-8 in the final frame, suffocating the Cougars on defense and executing with precision on the offensive end.
Junior guard Donovyn Hunter caught fire from deep, hitting a pair of threes, while sophomore center Clara Silva imposed her will inside with four straight points. The lead ballooned to 63-45, and BYU never recovered.
It was a balanced, team-first effort - the kind of performance that championship-caliber teams build their identity on.
Miles Makes History
Olivia Miles did a little bit of everything - and then some. The graduate transfer notched a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
It was the kind of all-around performance that shows why she’s such a critical piece for this TCU squad. Her ability to control tempo, distribute, and crash the glass gives the Horned Frogs a steady hand in big moments.
Balanced Scoring, Stifling Defense
TCU didn’t rely on just one or two stars. Silva led the team with 15 points, Sheffey chipped in a season-high 10 off the bench, and both Bigby and graduate forward Marta Suarez added 12 apiece. That kind of scoring depth makes this team incredibly hard to game-plan against.
On the defensive end, they were just as impressive. The Horned Frogs held BYU to 30% shooting from the field - a testament to their discipline, communication, and effort on that side of the ball.
What’s Next?
With two Big 12 wins under their belt and the nation’s attention starting to shift their way, TCU is building serious momentum. This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. Winning on the road in conference play is never easy, especially against a strong BYU team, but the Horned Frogs made it look like business as usual.
If they keep playing with this kind of balance, intensity, and poise, TCU won’t just be a team to watch in the Big 12 - they’ll be a team to watch deep into March.