TCU Horned Frogs Claim Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship
The Big 12 Championship was up for grabs tonight in Waco, Texas, as the 17th-ranked Baylor Bears hosted the 10th-ranked TCU Horned Frogs on their home court. The night was especially significant for Baylor, as it doubled as Senior Night for six of their women’s basketball players. Both teams showcased their star power, with Darianna Littlepage-Buggs leading the Bears in points and rebounds, while TCU’s duo of Hailey Van Lith and Sedona Prince dominated the stat sheet. This historic matchup was the first time a Big 12 Title was decided in the final game of the regular season, raising the stakes for everyone involved. The Horned Frogs fought for their first Conference Championship, while the Bears entered the game riding a dominant nine-game winning streak, further solidifying their legacy of 13 championships over the past 19 seasons. Which team would rise to the occasion and etch their name in Big 12 history?
First Half
The game opened with TCU’s starters Sedona Prince, Donovyn Hunter, Madison Conner, Agnes Emma-Nnopu, and Hailey Van Lith facing Baylor’s lineup of Jada Walker, Aaronette Vonleh, Sarah Andrews, Bella Fontleroy, and Yaya Felder. After a series of missed shots from both sides, Hunter’s defensive rebound set up Prince for the game’s first points with a jumper. Baylor answered quickly, with Walker sinking a three-pointer following a TCU turnover, and later adding the game’s first free throw. Prince continued her strong start with another jumper, assisted by Hunter, and remained dominant in the paint after a timeout. Felder blocked a Conner three-point attempt, and Andrews swatted a Hunter shot before Hunter subbed out for Taylor Bigby. Felder’s first point brought Baylor within one, but a Van Lith layup capitalized on a Baylor turnover to keep TCU ahead. The first quarter ended with Prince and Fontleroy exchanging baskets as the teams maintained their intense defensive efforts.
The second quarter opened with Aliyah Matharu sinking a free throw, followed by Vonleh hitting a jumper over Prince to keep the pressure on. Baylor tightened their defense, leaving no room for Van Lith or Prince to operate effectively. Despite poking the ball loose, Baylor couldn’t convert, though they momentarily halted TCU’s offense with a blocked pass. A foul on Hunter sent Felder to the free-throw line, pushing the score to 15-12. Andrews stripped the ball, sparking a scramble that ended with Vonleh scoring a layup and drawing a foul. Baylor’s defensive intensity forced TCU into errors, but Van Lith managed to shake things up by stealing the ball and finishing at the rim with her left hand, adding another block soon after. Conner nearly stole the ball but Felder recovered for a rebound and jumper. Hunter drained a stylish three-pointer, and Emma-Nnopu followed with another from deep as TCU began finding their rhythm. Fontleroy added a jumper with Walker’s assist, but Van Lith closed the half with a smooth step-back jumper, keeping TCU’s momentum alive heading into the break.
Halftime
The Horned Frogs entered halftime with a six-point advantage over the Bears, thanks to standout performances from Prince and Felder, who led the scoring for their teams. TCU outshined Baylor offensively, boasting nearly 20% better shooting from the field and a 10% edge in three-point accuracy. However, the Bears capitalized on turnovers, turning TCU's mistakes into 11 points compared to the Horned Frogs’ four. Despite committing four more fouls than Baylor, TCU demonstrated their strength on the boards, leading in both rebounds and assists. Defensive intensity was on full display, with both teams recording two blocks and Baylor having an additional two steals. Most of TCU’s players had at least one foul, with Hunter carrying three, while Baylor had only two combined. The intensity on defense remained high throughout the half, fueled by the energy of the home crowd dressed in white-out attire to support the Bears.
Second Half
The second half began with Conner drawing an early foul, but she quickly found her rhythm, sinking a three-pointer to spark TCU’s offense. Andrews capitalized on a fast break with an assist to Vonleh for a layup, who continued her dominance with another basket and a foul. Baylor’s Walker followed suit with a pass in the paint to Vonleh, who scored over Prince, as the Bears pushed their pace and defensive pressure. TCU responded with a backdoor cut by Van Lith, finishing a layup off a pass from Prince, but Prince soon picked up another foul, allowing Felder to add a free throw. A tie-up in the paint after a Van Lith pump fake gave the ball back to Baylor, but the Horned Frogs stayed resilient. Following a timeout, Van Lith re-entered to help keep TCU competitive, though Felder’s free throws brought the score to 32-32. Baylor briefly regained the lead with Felder’s spinning assist to Vonleh, but Prince’s offensive rebound and clutch free throws tied the game again. Felder added a smooth jumper from the top of the paint, only for Bigby to respond with a reverse layup, keeping the game tense.
Baylor entered the final minutes trailing by two, determined to turn the game around as TCU extended their lead with pivotal three-pointers from Bigby and Emma-Nnopu. Van Lith added two free throws, helping to maintain the Horned Frogs’ control of the game. Felder kept Baylor in contention with a smooth jumper and a clutch three-pointer off an assist from Walker. Vonleh followed up with a key basket against Prince, narrowing the gap to 50-48 and giving the Bears hope. Despite Baylor's efforts, TCU held their composure, maintaining possession during critical moments and forcing the Bears into difficult plays. Van Lith added one more free throw, pushing the lead slightly, while Baylor’s final attempt at a full-court shot missed the mark. TCU secured a 51-48 victory, crowning the Horned Frogs as Big 12 Champions.
Inside the Numbers
Sedona Prince finished the game with a double-double, a signature performance during her time with TCU, scoring 16 points and grabbing 19 rebounds. Hailey Van Lith was the team’s second-highest scorer with 14 points. On the Baylor side, Aaronette Vonleh had 17 points and 10 rebounds, earning a double-double of her own, while Yaya Felder contributed 17 points and five rebounds. The Horned Frogs outplayed Baylor in field goals and three-pointers, shooting 35.8% and 35% respectively, compared to Baylor’s 27.7% and 16.7%. While Baylor excelled at free throws, both teams ended with similar foul counts. TCU led in assists and blocks, with Van Lith and Prince sharing the block stats, whereas Baylor had six more steals. Bella Fontleroy led the game in steals with three, and TCU had a stronger presence on the boards, recording more rebounds overall.
Reflection
TCU made history by winning its first-ever Big 12 Basketball Championship, a feat neither the men’s nor women’s teams had accomplished before. The energy in Waco was electric, as Baylor fans packed the stands in their white-out attire, creating a charged atmosphere. Under the vision and leadership of Mark Campbell, TCU’s basketball program has grown from humble beginnings, starting with walk-ons and evolving into a team featuring some of the top talent in college basketball. This season, the Horned Frogs have exceeded all expectations, finishing the regular season strong and securing their place in history with this groundbreaking victory. As March Madness approaches, the team is poised to keep building on their momentum. With such a strong foundation, the Horned Frogs are more promising than ever and more than ready to hit the national stage. This historic victory has boosted TCU’s confidence, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting and rewarding journey ahead.
