TCU Falls Short In Upset Bid
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FORT WORTH, Texas – A young and pesky TCU squad gave No. 6 Georgia all they wanted Wednesday night pulling within seven late, but couldn’t complete the upset, falling 72-59 at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
For a majority of the second half, the Horned Frogs appeared to be on their way to recording their third victory over a top 10 opponent in the previous four tries at the DMC. The Frogs came into the game having won two of the previous three meetings against top 10 visitors, including a win over No. 3 Maryland in 2008 and No. 5 Texas A&M in 2009.
In a game that wasn’t decided until the final minutes, the Horned Frogs, now 5-4 on the young season, made plays on both ends of the court. In the second half alone the Frogs held Georgia (12-0) to 4-of-11 shooting from the field. During that stretch, TCU, who saw its five-game winning streak at home come to an end Wednesday, cut the Bulldog lead to seven off a 22-8 run. Georgia was able to escape with the victory thanks in large part to some key free throws down the stretch.
Natalie Ventress led the Frogs on the night with a game-high 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting. The sophomore was also solid on the boards with six. In only her second game back, fellow sophomore Donielle Breaux was spectacular, scoring a new career-high 14 points. Finally, Latricia Lovings was
once again productive inside, tallying a season-high 10 points, while also recording seven boards and six blocks.
As a team, the Frogs shot 40 percent from the field Wednesday. TCU also connected on 81.3 percent from charity stripe on 13-of-16 shooting.
Georgia was led by Anne Marie Armstrong and Jasmine Hassell who both scored 14 points apiece, respectively.
Zahna Medley would get the Frogs rolling during the opening stages of the second half, hitting a tear dropper, but Georgia responded by jumping out to a 45-24 advantage. A couple of possessions later, Veja Hamilton found a cutting Ventress and the Frogs continued to try and chip away at the Bulldog lead.
On the very next possession, Ventress tickled the twine from deep and TCU looked to have something cooking, now down only 45-28 at the 15:49 mark. A turn-around jumper and tough lay-up by Lovings on consecutive trips down the court brought the Frogs within 15 midway through the second period.
The Frogs were in the midst of a 16-4 run when Colbert took control down low, scoring four-straight to bring the scoreboard to 49-38. Breaux’s triple from the top of the key seemed to electrify the crowd, pulling the Frogs within 10 at 51-41.
Breaux would go back to work at the 9:56 mark, driving to the lane and connecting on a tough layup to make the scoreboard read 51-43. Following a bucket by Georgia, Cole drilled a trey to cut the deficit 53-46, but the Lady Bulldogs once again responded with another triple. On the very next possession, Medley would nail a three of her own and the Frogs continued to battle the No. 6 ranked team in the country all the way to the wire.
Ventress opened the game on fire as she scored 10 of the Horned Frogs opening 12 points, including a trey from the left side of the court during the beginning stages of the half. A few moments later, the sophomore went to work down low, scoring off an assist from Medley.
The two teams would battle back and fourth the next couple of possessions before Ventress would pull the Frogs within one at the 15:20 mark from the charity stripe.
With the score 15-12 in slight favor of Georgia, the Lady Bulldogs would show why they are one of the top teams in the country, going on a 10-0 run midway through the opening frame. Solid defense allowed the Frogs to end the run though as Medley swiped Georgia of the rock and found Lovings who scooped it in at the 7:16 mark of the first half.
A reverse layup by Medley a few trips later brought the Frogs within 11 at 27-16, but Georgia would continue to respond. A three by Breaux seemed to ignite the Frogs with a little over a minute to go in the half, bringing the score to 38-21 at the break.
TCU will next be in action Saturday against UTPA. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. CT from the DMC.
