FORT WORTH, Texas — Last January, the TCU women’s basketball team faced the daunting challenge of forfeiting two games due to a lack of healthy players. Fast forward to today, and the team has transformed dramatically. With key players Sedona Prince and Madison Conner back on the court, alongside talented transfer Hailey Van Lith, the Horned Frogs (18-1) are now ranked in the top 10 and riding high on a nine-game winning streak, marking their first 6-0 record in the Big 12 Conference.
“From being labeled as the ‘Underfrogs’ and holding tryouts to being in the top 10 this week… it’s been an incredible journey,” remarked second-year head coach Mark Campbell.
Last season, TCU kicked off the year with an impressive 14-game unbeaten streak under Campbell. However, injuries took a toll on the team as Prince suffered a broken finger, Conner injured her MCL, and senior point guard Jaden Owens experienced a season-ending knee injury shortly after this remarkable start. The result was a severely depleted squad with only six scholarship players available, and two of them were on minute restrictions while recovering from their own injuries.
In response, about 40 students tried out for the team during the same week they had to forfeit their Big 12 matchups against Kansas State and Iowa State. As a result, four walk-ons were added to the roster before resuming their season with a victory over UCF on January 23, the same team they defeated 90-81 this week for their second nine-game winning streak in the current season.
“The game from a year ago against UCF really set the foundation for TCU,” Campbell shared post-game. “Today was significant for our program and those who participated in that past game. There’s a large mural in our offices commemorating that moment, and it will remain there as long as I’m coaching.”
In their recent matchup against UCF, Prince displayed her prowess by scoring 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds. Van Lith also shone, contributing 20 points and matching her career high with six 3-pointers while providing seven assists without a single turnover. Meanwhile, Conner added 14 points, including four 3-pointers, and dished out six assists of her own. TCU recorded assists on 29 of their 32 successful field goals and finished with an impressive 15 three-pointers, their highest total ever in a Big 12 contest.
The current winning streak came after the Frogs faced a tough loss of 85-52 to the reigning national champions, South Carolina, on December 8. This defeat occurred right after TCU had made history by breaking into the top 10 for the first time, ranking at No. 9.
“Losing that game might end up being the biggest blessing for our season,” reflected Prince, a former player from Oregon. “It taught me, and the entire team, several crucial lessons that we’ve carried forward this season. This is the most enjoyable team I’ve ever been a part of throughout my college career, possibly even my entire basketball journey.”
TCU is eagerly aiming for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2010.
A notable highlight from the previous year’s challenges was the addition of the four walk-ons who became known as the “Underfrogs.” Among them, sophomore guard Ella Hamlin from nearby Granbury, Texas, is the only one who remains with the squad and has now been awarded a full athletic scholarship. In a touching moment, Campbell surprised Hamlin with the news following the win against UCF, making the announcement timely and meaningful.
“It feels unbelievable. Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come,” expressed Hamlin, who has seen relatively limited playing time this season, with only 23 minutes spread across 10 games.
“Ella is our lone survivor,” Campbell remarked. “When faced with adversity, most people shy away, but the ‘Underfrogs’ stepped up when we needed them.”
Looking ahead, the Frogs face significant challenges with three ranked opponents in their next five games. They will host No. 23 Utah this Friday, which marks their first occasion in the AP Top 25 as they host another ranked team since losing to Oklahoma State on February 7, 2018. Other tough matchups include a trip to No. 24 Oklahoma State next week, hosting Baylor, and another away game against Iowa State, before a crucial encounter on February 5 at 11th-ranked Kansas State (17-1, 5-0), the only other team in the Big 12 remaining undefeated in conference play.
