Forth Worth, TX—-From the opening tip-off, it was clear that TCU was in control. Coach Mark Campbell noted that BYU wasn’t taking quality shots in the initial minutes of the game. Despite this, TCU managed to establish an early lead of 17-10. Conner Madison and Agnes Emma-Nnopu got things rolling by going 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, while Sedona Prince contributed 4 points in the paint. At the 4:32 mark, BYU Coach Amber Whiting called a timeout to regroup her team.
Out of the timeout, BYU began to turn the tide. Emma Calvert took charge, scoring 7 points during the remaining 4:32 of the first quarter. Delaney Gibb added 8 first-half points to further fuel BYU’s comeback. When asked about her adjustments, Coach Whiting explained.
“We just focused on switching quickly and often.” The strategy paid off, and BYU finished the quarter with TCU holding a slim 23-19 lead.
BYU came out strong in the second quarter, with Kemery Congdon hitting a pull-up jumper in the paint to bring the score to 23-21. At 8:11, Coach Campbell called a timeout to help TCU regain control. He began making substitutions, with only one starter remaining on the floor.
Meanwhile, BYU intensified its defensive pressure with a trapping full-court press. TCU broke the press effectively, and Deasia Merrill, fresh off the bench, hit a turnaround jumper in the paint.
The bench players became a critical factor for TCU in the second quarter, with Merrill and Natalie Mazurek combining for 10 of TCU’s first-half points. Their contributions helped extend TCU’s lead to 38-30 at the break. TCU also dominated the boards, particularly on the defensive end, which was a key part of the game plan, according to Coach Campbell.
First Half Leading Scorers:
TCU:
- Conner: 8
- Prince: 6
- Merrill: 6
- Nnopu: 6
BYU:
- Calvert: 11
- Gibb: 8
- Congdon: 5
As the third quarter unfolded, TCU maintained its momentum, with Prince, Nnopu, Donovan Hunter, and Haley Van Lith all scoring quick layups. Gibb and Amari Whiting for BYU went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, with Gibb also adding a layup. TCU continued to build on their lead, and with the score at 50-36, Coach Whiting called another timeout, hoping to slow down TCU’s momentum.
During this stretch, Van Lith, who had only scored 2 points in the first half, started to heat up. Conner added another three-pointer to extend the lead. Una Jovanovic, coming off the bench, played a key role in scoring, dishing out assists, and helping to break the press. With everything falling into place for TCU, Van Lith was fouled while attempting a three-pointer as the third-quarter buzzer sounded. After a review, she was awarded three free throws, making 2 of 3 attempts, and ended the quarter as the top scorer with 7 points. TCU led 61-43 heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter was TCU’s best performance of the season, showcasing their ability to close out a game. In a dominant showing, TCU held BYU to just 4 points in the final quarter. It was a statement win for the team, even after their strong finish against Texas Tech earlier in the week.
Final Scoring Summary:
TCU:
- Merrill: 9
- Jovanovic: 7
- Conner: 14
- Prince: 13
- Van Lith: 11
- Nnopu: 10
BYU:
- Calvert: 16 (game-high)
- Gibb: 14
If TCU continues to close games in this fashion, they have a promising outlook for both the conference and NCAA tournaments. Coach Campbell put it succinctly after the game: “This is good, but it’s one game at a time. Each game is our Super Bowl.”
With the win, TCU set a new program record for home wins, with 17. It’s a victory worth celebrating.
Next up for TCU are two road games against Arizona and Arizona State before returning home to face West Virginia on Sunday, February 23.
BYU, on the other hand, will travel for road games against Oklahoma State and Arizona before returning home to play Arizona State on Saturday, February 22.
