TCU WBB defeats Oklahoma 90-83, advances to Big 12 Semifinals

TCU survived a horrendous third quarter on Saturday, and made free throws down the stretch, knocking off Oklahoma to advance to the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament. The win is big step toward an NCAA berth for the Frogs.

Amy Okonkwo led the way for the Frogs with 21 points and nine rebounds, providing both a low-post presence and some outside range (3-4 from deep), as the Frogs improved to 19-11 on the season.

Okonkwo was joined in double figures by Amber Ramirez, with 19 points, Kiana Ray, with 14 points, and Dakota Vann, with 13 points. Jordan Moore led the way for the Frogs on the boards with 11 rebounds.

Maddie Manning paced the Sooners with 24 points and Shania Pellington scored 22, as Oklahoma fell to 16-14. The Sooners, already on the bubble, are now in danger of missing out on the NCAA Tournament.

The Frogs jumped out to a big halftime lead, 50-35, thanks in large part to a 29-point second quarter. The Frogs opened the period up 21-19, and immediately went on a 17-4 run to open up a 38-23 lead. Ramirez was huge during the run, scoring nine points to help pace the Frogs as they ran out to a huge lead.

It was a good thing TCU built such a huge lead in the second quarter, because nothing went right for the Frogs in the third. TCU opened up the quarter 0-8 from the floor, with their first basket coming with just 2:06 remaining. Meanwhile, Oklahoma couldn’t miss, and the result was a 20-10 quarter in favor of the Sooners.

The final frame came down to free throws, as TCU extended their lead back to 10, and then held on at the line down the stretch. The Frogs finished 20-25 from the charity stripe in the quarter, and 32-39 from the line in the game.

TCU now faces the winner of Baylor-Kansas State in the next round, with another win probably locking up TCU’s tournament bid.