Women’s Basketball: No. 17 TCU sweeps Cayman Islands Classic, trouncing South Florida

Sedona Prince earns MVP honors as the Horned Frogs cruise to 87-46 victory

17th-ranked TCU Women’s Basketball followed up its national headline grabbing win over No. 3 Notre Dame with a dominant performance on Saturday night to complete the Cayman Islands Classic undefeated, destroying South Florida 87-46. There was no letdown hangover after the emotional monumental win a day earlier as the Horned Frogs came out firing on all cylinders right from tip off, opening the game with a Taylor Bigby three-pointer and never conceding the lead for the full 40 minutes. Sedona Prince and Hailey Van Lith each earned All-Tournament honors, with Prince bringing home the Tournament MVP award. Against USF on Saturday, Prince had 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots while Van Lith led the way with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.

TCU sprinted out of the gate, drilling three consecutive long range jumpers as part of a 21-point first quarter while the Bulls were unable to get much to fall, shooting just 29% from the field in the quarter. Hailey Van Lith starred in the opening frame, dishing three assists, grabbing four rebounds, and scoring six points including an acrobatic layup drawing the and-one foul call leaving the radio broadcast stunned at the skill to skate past the defenders, take the contact, and get the bucket to fall.

TCU further extended its lead ahead of the halftime break, never allowing USF to come close to single digits, much less put the game in any doubt. The margin only got more pronounced in the 2nd half, including a 4th quarter where TCU outscored USF 24-5 as the Bulls only made 2 shots, even as much of the period was played with the Horned Frogs emptying the bench. The ability to close contests has been huge for the Frogs, combining to outscore opponents in Grand Cayman 55-17 in the 4th quarter. Although TCU doesn’t often lean on its deep bench to provide scoring, it has proved crucial in Grand Cayman. Agnes Emma-Nnopu was instrumental in the win over the Irish and was again vs. USF with 6 points and 4 rebounds. The Horned Frogs received huge contribution from that group on Saturday, totaling 23 points off the bench with Aaliyah Roberson leading the way, scoring 7 points with 4 rebounds

It was about as clean a game of basketball as you’ll see. TCU dominated the glass with a 42-25 advantage, including 11 offensive boards leading to 15 second-chance points. TCU only committed 10 total fouls, allowing just four USF free throw attempts. TCU continues to lead the nation in assists, with 18 dimes on 31 made shots. TCU shot at an elite level, 53% from the field, 41% from beyond the arc, and 87% from the free throw line. The Horned Frogs are playing beautiful basketball and sometimes you just have to marvel at what this squad can do

TCU will return to action in Schollmaier Arena on Wednesday at 6:30 PM to take on the Florida Atlantic Owls (5-2), broadcast on ESPN+ before taking on reigning National Champions No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday December 8 in Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena, broadcast nationally on ESPN2.