KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a thrilling quarterfinal matchup of the women’s Big 12 Tournament, Hailey Van Lith led No. 8-ranked TCU with an impressive performance, scoring 24 points and making five 3-pointers. Sedona Prince added 18 points before being fouled out in the game, contributing significantly to TCU’s 69-62 victory over Colorado on Friday.
Donovyn Hunter also contributed to the win with 13 points, helping TCU maintain a strong hold despite almost surrendering a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. This win marks the Horned Frogs’ eighth consecutive victory, securing them a spot in the semifinals against No. 16 West Virginia, who defeated No. 20 Kansas State with a 73-69 score earlier.
For Colorado, Jade Masogayo was a standout player, sinking her first eight shots and ending the game with 22 points. The Buffaloes, ranked ninth, now find themselves on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament with a 20-12 record. Contributions also came from Kennedy Sanders and Kindyll Wetta, scoring 11 and 9 points respectively.
At halftime, TCU led with a score of 36-32, which they extended to 52-40 by the end of the third quarter. However, Colorado rallied with a 14-5 run in the fourth quarter, and Johanna Teder’s 3-pointer narrowed the gap to 57-54 with under five minutes left in the game. TCU responded robustly by scoring on four straight possessions, ensuring their advancement.
Key Insights:
Colorado had an impressive run by defeating Houston and Arizona in Kansas City, improving their NCAA tournament chances. However, a win against TCU might have solidified their spot. As Selection Sunday on March 16 approaches, the Buffaloes will be watching anxiously.
On the other hand, TCU will need to see more bench depth to navigate their upcoming games, as the team managed only a single point from its reserves during this match. Moving forward, increased contributions from the bench could prove crucial as they aim to secure the championship.
Pivotal Moment:
With TCU’s lead shaved down to 57-54, Van Lith scored a crucial jumper, followed by consecutive scores from Hunter, which helped maintain their edge over Colorado.
Crucial Statistic:
The Buffaloes struggled with turnovers, committing 17 in total and had a shaky performance at the free-throw line, going only 7 of 15.
What’s Next:
The Horned Frogs will face the fourth-seeded Mountaineers in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Colorado will await its postseason fate with anticipation.