TCU Women Defeat UTPA
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FORT WORTH, Texas – The TCU women’s basketball team turned in a stifling defensive effort en route to a 73-47 victory over Texas-Pan American on Sunday afternoon at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum to improve to 6-3 overall this season.
Junior guard Natalie Ventress led the way with a season-best 18 points, going 5-of-9 from the field, including a 3-of-6 clip from distance, while Zahna Medley and Donielle Breaux also scored in double figures with 11 points apiece.
The Horned Frogs never trailed in the contest and enjoyed a comfortable 39-19 lead at the half following a 28-4 run over a 14-minute period.
Leading the Broncs (5-4) by an 11-8 margin, junior Chelsea Prince found an open Latricia Lovings in the paint for the easy bucket plus the ensuing free-throw for a 3-point play, and Ventress followed with a long jumper before burying her first 3-pointer of the game on the next possession for a 21-10 advantage.
Breaux then heated up, draining two long-range buckets over a five-minute period for TCU’s first 20-point lead with just under three minutes remaining.
The Horned Frogs led by as many as 27 points (39-12) with 1:35 remaining
in the first half as TCU’s defense held UTPA without a field goal for over 12 minutes. The Broncs would convert their first shot from the field since the 13:00 mark with just 49.0 seconds remaining.
TCU kept UTPA at a comfortable distance throughout the second half, aided by two more 3-point buckets from Ventress.
The Horned Frogs limited the Broncs to just 24-percent (15-of-62) shooting from the field and forced 19 turnovers with 11 steals and seven blocks. TCU also won the battle on the glass by a 50-40 margin.
Lovings turned in another solid performance for the Horned Frogs with eight points, eight rebounds and five blocks, marking her fourth performance this season with at least five rejections.
Sophomore guard Veja Hamilton also shined on Sunday, turning in six points, six rebounds and matching a career-best with five assists.
The Horned Frogs return to action on Wednesday when they play host to Abilene Christian at 7 p.m., at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Tickets are only $5 as part of the Holiday Hoops promotion.
