Women’s Basketball: TCU takes down No. 13 NC State 76-73

The Horned Frogs earn first win over ranked opponent since 2021

TCU Women’s Basketball is building momentum in Fort Worth. In one of the most anticipated non-conference games in Schollmaier Arena the Horned Frogs delivered a thrilling victory over No. 13 NC State Wolfpack 76-73 on Sunday afternoon. The win was the program’s first over a team that reached the Final Four the previous season and is TCU’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2021 when the Frogs beat No. 18 Texas A&M. TCU improved to 4-0 on the season, one of 11 unbeaten Big 12 teams through the season’s opening weeks.

TCU was led by the superstar duo of center Sedona Prince and guard Hailey Van Lith. Prince played all 40 minutes and was an unstoppable force on both ends of the court, showing off dynamic post moves and a sweet shooting stroke, dropping 31 points on 58% shooting, adding 16 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots. It was a milestone game for Van Lith, reaching 2,000 career points scored while dishing 10 assists in a game for the first time in her career to earn her sixth career double-double.

TCU now leads the nation in assists per game assists per game and assist/turnover ratio, dropping 22 dimes on Sunday to just four turnovers The play that got HVL that 10th dime came on the game’s final basket as she drew the defense’s attention in the final seconds and passed to Taylor Bigby who took it in for the layup that would give the Frogs the three point advantage. Bigby was a major contributor for TCU, shooting 67% on three-points to drop 10 points with six rebounds and two blocked shots. The transfer from USC is shooting 83% from the field over the last two games and consistently finds herself in the right spot to make a big play

Madison Conner joined Bigby, Van Lith, and Prince with double-digit scoring, adding 11 points of her own. While not her best shooting night from beyond the arc, as NC State got hot from long distance, Conner was there to answer, going on runs to extend TCU leads. The Horned Frogs led by as many as 12 points early in the 4th quarter, but the Wolfpack were certainly not going away quietly. NC State’s Aziaha James simply kept making buckets, scoring 27 for the game including five made three-pointers. As the most dangerous player on the court for the Wolfpack, she received the pass for the game’s final shot, getting a clear look at the game-tying opportunity. With Van Lith defending, James pump-faked and had the direct look, but the shot was well off target and the Schollmaier crowd erupted.

TCU will next face Incarnate Word (2-2) on Thursday afternoon and Idaho State (1-3) on Sunday in Schollmaier Arena before traveling to Grand Cayman for another marquee showdown, facing No. 6 Notre Dame.