Despite 20 turnovers, TCU women’s basketball outlasted Baylor’s late-game comeback, 64-59, to secure their first Big 12 championship title since 2005.
The Frogs’ non-selfish offense produced four double-digit scorers: Hailey Van Lith, Sedona Prince, Hunter Donovyn and Madison Conner.
TCU rallies despite turnover problem
Donovyn kicked off scoring for TCU with a three-pointer. After the bucket, scoring was slow with a strong defensive performance from both teams.
Baylor’s head coach Nikki Collen said in a pregame interview that their goal was to double-team Van Lith, and that’s exactly what they did. Defensive pressure was on Van Lith from the first possession, constantly driving her to the sidelines to shut down her offensive power. She only had four points in the first half.
Van Lith’s talent prevailed with a team- and game-leading 20 points, three rebounds and three assists. “The time came in the second half to get shots off, so I took them,” she said.
Entering the second quarter with a four-point lead, the Frogs’ momentum began to waver. In an over five-minute scoring drought, TCU tallied six turnovers, totaling 15 for the first half alone. In the semifinals against West Virginia, the team only had 12.
Van Lith said at the half that the turnover problem was heightened by the high-stakes environment. But, the Bears were unable to capitalize on TCU’s mistakes, only scoring four points from the turnovers.
Despite the miscues, the Frogs were able to maintain their lead and snapped the scoring drought with a bucket from Sedona Prince. TCU capitalized on a lengthy Baylor scoring drought, building an 11-point lead going into halftime.
Bears’ late comeback is not enough
The Frogs’ scoring started slow entering the third quarter and allowed Baylor to hit three shots in a row to creep on their lead. A three-pointer from Yaya Felder brought the Bears within seven.
Hunter continued to step up for TCU by banking a three-pointer to keep its 10-plus point lead. Shooting only 33% from behind the arc this season, the sophomore went three-of-five from that range against Baylor.
As the third quarter came to a close, Baylor made six of their last eight shots to come within eight of TCU.
TCU collected their 19th turnover with a travel from Van Lith as Baylor closed within six of the Frogs’ lead. Free throws from Bella Fontleroy brought Baylor within two with just over four minutes left in the game.
Baylor capitalized on TCU’s two-plus minute scoring drought with a 13-2 run to tie the game at 57 with 3:30 left.
Desperate for a score to separate from Baylor, Van Lith flew through the paint for the layup, giving it a four-point edge with 48 seconds left.
Agnes Emma-Nnopu stepped up in the final minutes of the game with critical rebounds and a block on Felder.
What’s next for the Frogs?
TCU’s win against Baylor secured their bid to dance in the 2025 March Madness tournament. Selection Sunday is next week on March 16 and is open to the general public. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m.
With the momentum from winning the title, TCU hopes to make a deep run in March to battle for glory in Tampa, Fla. where the Final Four and National Championship will be held.
