Number three seeded TCU Women’s Basketball advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the second consecutive season with a win over the number six seeded Washington Huskies on Sunday with a final score of 62-59. This nail biting win took all four quarters and overtime to determine as the Frogs battled from an eight point deficit at halftime and overcame a tough shooting night to prevail for the win. TCU’s home winning streak now stands at 44 games and TCU Women’s Basketball now has an all time record above
.500 for the first time in program history. When Mark Campbell took over the head coaching position, TCU was 64 games below .500 all time. To close that gap and advance to two Sweet Sixteens in just three seasons is one of the most impressive coaching jobs in NCAA history.
Olivia Miles led the Horned Frogs in scoring with 18 points along with 10 rebounds, eight assists, and one steal. Miles did not have the most efficient shooting game but facilitated the offense, found a way to get buckets down the stretch and grabbed plenty of clutch defensive rebounds to limit second chance points for the Huskies. Miles had a chance to win the game in regulation but missed a step back three pointer at the buzzer. While the Frogs would have loved to see that shot drop, Miles’s adjustment to learn from that miss and attack the basket in overtime led to TCU winning the game. That late game adjustment showed how Miles and this team can respond and adjust to adversity and bodes well for TCU’s chances to advance further in March Madness.
Clara Silva played her best game as a Frog with 16 points on six of eight shooting from the field to go with eight rebounds, one assist, two steals and two blocks. Washington was keyed in on TCU ball handlers all game in the pick-and-roll and Silva did a great job to make herself available on the roll for easy baskets. The sophomore was impactful on both ends of the floor as her excellent defensive timing was a big reason why Washington only scored 18 points in the paint. Taylor Bigby had another great game for the Frogs, scoring 15 points and tallying four rebounds and one block. Bigby has 42 points through two games in the NCAA Tournament and her hot shooting is a big reason that TCU is still dancing. Marta Suarez had a big hand in the win with nine points, eight rebounds and one assist. Suarez’s impact went beyond the box score as she played excellent defense and battled on the boards while playing with four fouls for most of the second half. Donovyn Hunter was a big part of TCU’s defensive effort, holding Washington’s star guard Sayvia Sellers to just 32% from the field. Hunter’s ability and effort as a perimeter defender have been vital to TCU’s defense all season.
TCU struggled from beyond the three point line against Washington, knocking down just 21% of their attempts as a team. However, the Frogs did well to adjust, scoring 42 points in the paint and ten points in transition, pushing the pace to combat jump shooting struggles. The Horned Frog defense was the reason TCU won the game as Washington shot just 35% from the field and 32% from three.
TCU will next travel to Sacramento for the Sweet Sixteen where they will face off against number 10 seeded Virginia on Saturday at 6:30 pm. Virginia made history as the first team ever to advance to the Sweet Sixteen after playing in the First Four of March Madness. The Cavaliers are no strangers to close games either as each of their last two games has gone to overtime. Kymore Johnson has been on an absolute heater for Virginia, scoring 17 points in the first four against Arizona State, 28 points in the first round against number seven seeded Georgia, and 28 points in the second round against number two seeded Iowa. Donovyn Hunter will most likely be matched up against Johnson and will need to have a good defensive performance for the Frogs to make their second straight trip to the Elite Eight.
