Kansas City, Mo. — TCU had won just one game in the Big 12 Conference the entire season, but blistering defense from the Horned Frogs and a cold shooting night from the Jayhawks pushed TCU past Kansas, 57-52 in a battle to the very end at the Big 12 tournament.
Kansas jumped out of the gates with a quick 8-3 scoring run but failed to build on its lead. Neither team found any rhythm on the offensive side of the ball in an early grudge match.
KU (19-11) couldn’t get its offense rolling in the opening quarter, shooting just 28% from the floor. However, the Jayhawks made their way to the charity stripe for eight attempts, converting 6-of-8 shots.
Kansas hit on only 1-of-6 three-point shots, while the Horned Frogs (8-22) connected on 35% of their shots and knotted up the score at 15-15.
“Tough day at the office for the Jayhawks collectively,” head coach Brandon Schneider said. “When I say collectively, I mean everybody. Coaches, players, we didn’t have a very good day today. Ball didn’t go in the basket today.”
Junior guard Chandler Prater erupted in the second quarter and provided the Jayhawks with a spark on offense. Prater racked up nine points on 80% shooting and scored over half of the team’s points in the quarter.
The Jayhawks relied solely on their starters to handle the scoring load. KU’s bench saw a combined 15 minutes in the first half and failed to score a point. The bench recorded just four rebounds with four turnovers in that span.
Senior center Taiyanna Jackson was also held to just two points on three shot attempts in the half.
Prater led the game in first-half scoring with 13 total points, with TCU guard Roxane Makolo leading TCU with eight points and four rebounds. Kansas saw a 32-28 lead heading into halftime.
TCU found its touch from behind the arc in the third quarter. The Horned Frogs drained 4-of-6 three-pointers, with senior guard Tara Manumaleuga hitting back-to-back shots to end the quarter.
TCU played lockdown defense while its offense fired on all cylinders from deep. Kansas was held to just under 28% shooting for the quarter and held off the free throw line as well. Senior guard Holly Kersgieter scored three points in the third, leading the Jayhawks in scoring.
The Horned Frogs gained a 47-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter after outscoring KU by eight points in the third.
Neither team could get its offense rolling in the final quarter in a battle to the finish line. Both teams shot under 22% from the floor with 11 combined turnovers and just five made baskets.
TCU made big stops down the stretch and forced two turnovers and four missed shots in the final 1:02 of play. With free throws widening the winning margin, the Horned Frogs came away with the 57-52 victory.
TCU earned just its second win against Big 12 Conference opponents on the season and advanced to the Second Round.
Prater ended her night with a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double, leading the game in the scoring column. After the loss, Prater had her eyes set on the postseason.
“I hope we make it to March, to March Madness,” Prater said. “I’m ready to go to the Big Dance.”
Jackson cleaned the glass all night long for the Jayhawks, racking up a career-high tying 21 rebounds in a quiet seven-point performance on offense.
“She is probably the most improved player in our league, from when she came in to where she’s at right now,” TCU coach Raegan Pebley said. “As good of a job as we did on her, she still had 21 boards, that’s just how good she is.”
The Horned Frogs move on to take on No. 2 Oklahoma Friday at 5 p.m. in the Big 12 tournament. Kansas now will await its fate for the NCAA Tournament, which will be revealed on Selection Sunday.
