TCU Soars Past LA Tech: A Dominant Display on the Court
In an exciting return to Schollmaier Arena, the No. 12 ranked TCU Women’s Basketball team took on LA Tech. This marked their first home game since early December, and they certainly made it count. TCU's renewed confidence was evident as they secured a commanding win, sending the Lady Techsters back to Louisiana with their fourth loss. With this victory, the Horned Frogs now boast a stellar 10-1 record for the non-conference season. Let's dive into how this game went down and the defining moments that led TCU to its victory. We’ll explore the highlights that made this matchup prominent and what they mean for the Horned Frogs.
The game began with Sedona Prince committing the first foul, followed by Jianna Morris hitting a three-pointer for LA Tech. Agnes Emma-Nnopu knocked down a three of her own, while Robyn Lee scored two points. Hailey Van Lith made two free throws after being blocked and fouled. TCU's defense forced multiple turnovers and shot clock violations. Madison Conner scored her 1,000th career point, contributing to a 12-0 run for TCU. Taylor Bigby’s aggressive play resulted in a layup and an and-one opportunity. Prince added six points in the paint, with Van Lith assisting on key plays. Van Lith also hit multiple three-pointers, and TCU capitalized on turnovers, scoring 11 points off LA Tech's mistakes. TCU's defense was significantly stronger this time, conceding only five points in the first quarter. By halftime, TCU led by 30 points with a score of 46-16.
At the start of the second half, Prince was challenged by Isla Airey, and Agnes missed a three-pointer, with Prince grabbing the rebound. Airey gave the ball away to Emma-Nnopu, who missed a layup, followed by Bigby missing a shot. LA Tech struggled with turnovers, committing 11 compared to TCU’s five. Conner hits a three with an assist from Van Lith despite an earlier travel. Van Lith was perfect from the floor and the line, contributing 16 points, with TCU leading by 37. In the fourth quarter, Autumn Smith from LA Tech hit a triple, but Van Lith countered with her sixth 20-point game. Agnes scored two points from a layup, followed by a steal and a second layup from Deasia Merrill. Horned Frogs walk-on Ella Hamlin came into the game and assisted Aaliyah Roberson with a three from the top of the key. From then on, TCU kept their composure, ending with a final score of 92-41 to close out the match.
Hailey Van Lith led TCU with 23 points, shooting an impressive 70% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc, while Madison Conner added 18 points. Agnes Emma-Nnopu contributed significantly with 10 rebounds, and Sedona Prince grabbed seven. For LA Tech, Paris Bradley scored 15 points, and Jianna Morris scored 12. Overall, the Horned Frogs outperformed their opponents in both three-point and field-goal percentages. While their defense was strong, keeping a sharp offensive execution throughout future games will be crucial. TCU looked focused, with Agnes Emma-Nnopu's energy felt throughout her time on the floor and a noticeable improvement in ball handling, resulting in fewer turnovers compared to the last game. Additionally, reducing turnovers even further could help maintain TCU’s momentum.
The previous TCU game exposed some flaws, prompting a change in the starting lineup, with Agnes Emma-Nnopu and Una Jovanovic. Meanwhile, LA Tech featured a young lineup led today by freshman Paris Bradley. LA Tech started three freshmen and has nine newcomers combined. In contrast, TCU boasts the oldest roster in the nation. This game marked only the second all-time meeting between TCU and LA Tech, with the Horned Frogs showing their experience against the youthful LA Tech team. TCU women’s basketball will next take the court on Tuesday, hosting the Samford Bulldogs at home. The Bulldogs currently rank sixth in the Southern Conference. ESPN Analytics gives TCU an almost 100% chance of winning this game, suggesting an easy path for the Horned Frogs to gain their 11th victory.
