A blowout against the last-place Houston Cougars earned the team’s 700th all-time win, 91-56.
From a Madison Conner three to get the game started on a 9-0 run, this game was dominated by TCU until the final buzzer, marking it as the second season the Frogs have finished unbeaten at home since the 2008-09 season.
The Frogs shot 59% from the field compared to the Cougars’ 27% in the first quarter. Hailey Van Lith closed out the first half with 20 points, just one point short of the total points scored by Houston in the first half, 52-21 with the team contributing 10 threes.
After halftime, TCU’s energy notably lessened in the third quarter, but still managed to hang on to a lead. The Frogs left the Cougars with little opportunity for shots.
“We didn’t come prepared mentally to play tonight, we had a nice game plan, and we expected more but it didn’t happen for us,” said Houston head coach Ronald Hughey. “I’m proud of our resilient group, we’re still continuing to play hard.”
With a minute to play, head coach Mark Campbell took all seniors out of the game who then received a standing ovation from the home crowd.
“That was a fun night what a way to wrap up our home slate, to go 19-0 is incredibly hard to do, so thankful for everyone who gave us a great home court advantage,” said Campbell. “You never know how seniors will play on senior night, it can be emotional, but they were locked in”.
The team was led by Van Lith, who was recently named Big 12 Player of the week for the second time and collected 26-points and five assists with Conner contributing 15.
“If we go out as a unit and handle business in the beginning our bench gets to play, it says a lot about our team to put personal vendettas aside to let others shine,” said Van Lith, “We have a unique dynamic where we are genuinely happy for each other’s success, it’s so rare and unique and this team has made my year so special.”
Up next, No. 10 TCU will face No. 17 Baylor for a Big 12 league title on Sunday, March 2. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m in Waco, Texas.
