Fort Worth, TX—-TCU delivered an impressive performance against No. 17 West Virginia, securing a decisive 71-50 victory. Despite WVU’s brief early lead, TCU took control and never looked back.
The game opened with Kylee Blacksten sinking a three-pointer for WVU, but Sedona Prince quickly responded for TCU off an assist from Madison Conner. Prince and Hailey Van Lith then exchanged assists, helping TCU claim a 6-5 lead. WVU called a timeout with 4:33 left in the first period, but it was the only lead change of the game, as TCU never trailed again.
TCU dominated the boards, especially on defense, securing eight of the 12 rebounds in the first period. Agnes Emma-Nnopu led with five rebounds, while Prince grabbed four. Van Lith contributed offensively, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer to close the period with seven points. Prince added six, and TCU led 20-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Second Quarter Surge
WVU started the second period strong, with Jordan Harrison scoring and JJ Quinerly hitting two quick baskets to cut the deficit to 22-17. However, TCU responded with Taylor Bigby and Deasia Merrill coming off the bench to provide valuable contributions. Van Lith was coming back into the game and WVU would call a quick timeout with 4:47 remaining and the score 24-17.
When play resumed Van Lith and Conner combined for eight points, prompting another WVU timeout with 2:51 remaining and the score 32-19. Van Lith continued to shine, hitting another three-pointer and securing a rebound to close the half with TCU leading 39-20.
First-Half Leaders TCU:
- Van Lith: 14 points
- Prince: 10 points
- Nnopu: 6 rebounds
WVU:
- Sydney Shaw: 4 points
- Harrison: 4 points
- Quinerly: 4 points
Maintaining Control in the Second Half
The second half began with a slight stumble for TCU, leading Coach Mark Campbell to call an early timeout after Shaw scored for WVU. Prince quickly regained momentum with a three-pointer. Despite a questionable foul call against Prince, which led to two free throws for Quinerly, TCU continued to build their lead. By the 4:04 mark in the third quarter, TCU led 48-29, forcing WVU to use another timeout.
Harrison hit a basket, and TCU was called for a five-second violation, prompting another quick timeout by Campbell to refocus his team. Nnopu and Merrill added key baskets, and TCU maintained control, entering the final period up 54-38.
Closing Strong
The fourth quarter saw Bigby converting a three-point play, and Van Lith continued her offensive showcase. She hit a layup while falling left, then drained a three-pointer, electrifying the crowd. With 4:12 left, WVU called a timeout, trailing 65-43. Blacksten hit another three for WVU, but TCU remained in control. Prince and Van Lith sealed the victory from the free-throw line, securing the 71-50 win.
Postgame Reactions
West Virginia’s Coach Mark Kellogg acknowledged TCU’s difficulty to defend, noting, “They’re not hard to prepare for, but they’re hard to stop with Prince in the middle and Van Lith and Conner outside.” He admitted that despite WVU matching TCU in offensive rebounds and limiting them to six three-pointers, the outcome was not what they hoped for.
Van Lith and Coach Campbell emphasized the team’s collective effort. Campbell referred to them as the “Get Ready Team,” highlighting the importance of players being prepared at any moment. Van Lith credited the team chemistry as a crucial factor in their success, a sentiment Campbell echoed, calling it TCU’s “Special Sauce.”
With this win, TCU set a new program record with 26 victories, and Campbell made it clear: “We’re not finished yet.”
Top Performers TCU:
- Van Lith: 26 points
- Prince: 20 points, 8 rebounds
- Nnopu: 10 rebounds
WVU:
- Quinerly: 13 points
- Harrison: 11 points
TCU out-rebounded WVU by 15, all on the defensive end, further solidifying their reputation as one of the top defensive teams in the country.
Next Up
- TCU hosts Houston on Wednesday night before traveling to Waco on Sunday to face Baylor in a game that could determine the Big 12 regular-season champion.
- WVU returns home to play Utah on Wednesday before closing the regular season at Cincinnati on Saturday.
