TCU Women Top UTPA
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FORT WORTH, Texas – Some hot shooting and smothering defense propelled TCU to a 73-37 drubbing of UTPA at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum Saturday afternoon.
On a dominating day, the Horned Frogs, now 6-4 on the year, simply attacked the Broncs from start to finish Saturday, shooting 42.9 percent from the field, including 13-of-26 for 50 percent in the second half. For a majority of the day, TCU did most of its damage down low, outscoring UTPA inside the paint, 34-14. For as much as the Purple and White dominated down low, the Frogs were just as dangerous from beyond the arc, shooting almost 45 percent for the game.
TCU’s defense was just as impressive, limiting UTPA to only 21.3 percent from the field on 13-of-61 shooting, which ranks as the ninth lowest field goal percentage by an opponent in program history. It was also the lowest percentage wise since Air Force shot 17.3 percent from the floor last February. The Frogs’ stifling defense also forced the Broncs into 19 turnovers, while no UTPA player scored over six points.
The young and pesky Frogs got out of the gates quickly Saturday and never looked back, jumping out to a 37-19 halftime lead. In all, UTPA didn’t score until the 15:50 mark of the opening frame, going 0-for-6 from the field to start the game. In the second half alone, TCU held the Broncs to only
18.2 percent from the floor on 6-of-33 shooting from the field.
Freshman sensation Zahna Medley led the Frogs on the day, scoring 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point land. The Illinois native did most of her damage in the first half, netting 16 points on 6-of-8 from the floor. Junior Latricia Lovings had a career day, posting her first collegiate double-double with 11 points and a new career-high 15 rebounds. Her 15 boards were the most in a single-game since former Frog Starr Crawford grabbed 18 against UNLV in 2011. Finally, Lovings had three blocks on the day, while also recording a new career-high in steals with four.
Not to be outdone, sophomore Natalie Ventress and senior Delisa Gross both scored 10 points apiece, respectively. Ventress went 3-of-6 from the field, while Gross was a perfect 4-of-4 during the second half Saturday.
UTPA (5-7) was carried on the day by Cassandra Moody’s team-high six points and 15 rebounds. Alexandra Hill and Jasmine Gordon both tallied six points apiece as well.
Just like she started the first half, Medley nailed a three to begin the second period and TCU continued to roll, pushing its comfortable lead to 40-19. A few moments later, Lovings would follow up an acrobatic shot by Donielle Breaux to continue the Frogs offensive production.
With TCU leading 44-26, Kamy Cole drove the left side of the court and found Gross down low who powered it home to move the Frogs advantage to 20. On the very next possession, Veja Hamilton followed up a Cole miss and the Frogs were in business, cruising comfortably.
Midway through the second half, Lovings went to work on the offensive end, scoring layups on a couple different possessions to bring the scoreboard to 56-27. With her bucket at the 8:20 mark, the junior recorded her first career double-double.
The Frogs were able to coast the rest of the way, jumping out to a 60-27 lead when Ashley Colbert connected on a tough layup with a little over six minutes remaining in the game. Back-to-back reverse buckets by Gross put the finishing touches on an impressive offensive showing.
Medley got the Frogs rolling early, draining a three on the opening possession of the contest. TCU would jump out to a 7-0 lead a few moments later when Ventress tickled the twine from deep four minutes into the period. In all, UTPA didn’t score until the 15:50 mark of the opening frame, going 0-for-6 to start the game.
Halfway through the opening frame, Medley continued her hot shooting, drilling two-straight triples to give the Frogs a 13-2 advantage. Colbert would push the Purple and White lead to 10 at 15-5 a few moments later, scoring with a little over 11 minutes remaining in the half.
UTPA would continue to battle though, storming back to pull within four before Lovings went to work down low off an assist from Medley. The freshman then took over on the next couple of trips down the court, connecting on a running floater and a three, which allowed the Frogs to run the score to 23-11.
The two teams would trade possessions back and fourth until Breaux lit up the scoreboard at 31-14 down the stretch off a layup. A couple of late baskets by Colbert brought the halftime score to 37-19 in favor of the Horned Frogs.
TCU will next be in action against Texas A&M CC on Saturday, Dec. 29. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. CT from the DMC.
