TCU Women Down Sam Houston State

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FORT WORTH, Texas – TCU had four players score in double-figures Sunday as the Horned Frogs derailed Sam Houston State at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, 67-60.

The Frogs, who led by as many as 12, scored on the opening possession and never looked back as some late free throws helped seal TCU’s fifth-straight victory at the DMC. For a majority of the day, the bench did most of the damage for the Frogs, outscoring the Bearkats, 21-8.

TCU’s defense presence in the game was also noticeable as the Frogs forced 17 turnovers, while blocking Sam Houston State 10 different times, which hasn’t happened in a game since recording 10 last December against Texas Southern. Eight of the 10 blocks came by junior Latricia Lovings, who also grabbed 10 boards Sunday. Lovings’ eight blocks is tied with current professional and former Frog great Sandora Irvin for the seventh-most in program history.

During a stretch of play in the second half, TCU held SHSU without a bucket from the floor for over six minutes of action as the Bearkats went a combined 0-for-7 from the field.

The Purple and White, now 5-3 on the year, were led offensively by freshman Zahna Medley. The Illinois native scored 21 points, while also grabbing a career-high six boards from her point-guard position. Simply put, the freshman was unconscious from behind the arc, going 6-of-10 from three. Delisa Gross and Natalie Ventress also had solid days at the arena, scoring 11 points apiece, respectively, while Kamy Cole poured in 10 points, which included several key free throws down the stretch.

Not to be outdone, Donielle Breaux in her first action in almost a year after transferring from Kansas scored a career-high nine points on 4-of-8 shooting. Breaux, who last

played on Dec. 28, 2011, seemed to really spark the Frogs off the bench with some timely buckets and energy.

Sam Houston State (2-6) was led by Britni Martin’s 18 points, while Chanice Smith dropped in 15. Sequeena Thomas was the only other Bearkat in double-figures, scoring 10 points, while also grabbing 14 boards.

After a couple of free throws by both teams, Medley went to work, dropping in a high arching three to give the Frogs a 40-31 advantage during the opening stages of the second half. A bucket by Lovings a few moments later pushed the Frog lead to 42-34 before Medley tickled the twine once again on the very next possession.

A 6-0 run by Sam Houston State allowed the Bearkats to stay in the game, but Ventress’ deep triple at the 15:19 mark of the second half halted the SHSU run and gave the Frogs a 48-40 lead.

Sam Houston State would cut it to four at 48-44, but Breaux would connect from the top of the key with 12:22 showing on the scoreboard to regain the momentum for TCU. A couple of possessions later, the sophomore continued to make her presence known, scoring on a pull-up jumper.

By the time Medley dropped in another three from the corner, the Frogs were in the midst of an 8-0 run, which put them back on top 56-46 halfway through the contest.

All out hustle allowed the Frogs to score with 5:33 showing on the clock as Gross tipped the ball back to Medley as it was going out of bounds, whom promptly found Ventress for a jumper in the corner.

With TCU up 61-56, Lovings showed why she is considered one of the best shot blockers in the entire country, swatting away another Bearkat attempt. The Frogs were then able to knock down some late free throws down the stretch to secure their fifth-straight victory at home this season.

TCU jumped out of the gates quickly as Medley drilled a trey on the very first possession of the contest. A few moments later, Ventress would score the next four points for the Frogs to give the Purple and White an 8-4 advantage five minutes into the game.

With the score 10-6, Medley tickled the twine once again and really seemed to spark the Frogs as Breaux went on to connect on a running floater on the very next possession.

The two teams would go back and fourth until Gross went to work inside to bring the score to 20-14 at the 7:58 mark of the opening frame. The Waco native scored the next three points for the Frogs to push the TCU lead to 23-14 halfway through the first half.

With a little over 5 minutes remaining in the opening period, Cole dialed one up from the corner to give the Frogs a 26-16 cushion down the stretch. Sam Houston State would continue to battle though, going on a mini 4-0 run before Gross connected on both free throws to push the Frog lead back to eight.

Following two-straight dominating blocks by Lovings, Gross stepped back to the line and calmly drilled two more. Lovings then went to work on the offensive end of the court, scoring on a running jumper to give TCU a 35-27 advantage at the half.

TCU will next be in action Wednesday, Dec. 19 against No. 6 Georgia. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT from the DMC.