Frogs’ outstanding effort falls just short in 66-57 loss to #2 Baylor

They were never intimidated.

It didn’t seem to matter to the women of TCU Basketball that Baylor was the #2 team in the country. They were unbothered by the blowout losses that litter their past matchups. The five star players and the Hall of Fame coach? They certainly respected them, but they weren’t going to back down from them.

When they missed their first six three point attempts? They regrouped and made their next three. When the green and gold heavy crowd got rowdy? They answered with a bucket or a big stop. And when the Bears stretched their lead to double-digits at 25-14? The Frogs responded with an 11-0 run to tie things up.

Don’t be mistaken — this team wasn’t looking for a moral victory against the reigning National Champions. They were looking for a win.

Trailing by four at the half despite shooting just 33% from the field and 27% from three, TCU was all hustle and defense in the first half. They managed to take a lead at the end of three despite continuing to struggle from the field, going five minutes without a made field goal in the fourth quarter after taking a one-point lead through three. But their inability to hit shots down the stretch was ultimately their undoing, as the Frogs made just nine field goals in the second half against a tough and aggressive Baylor defense that refused to let anyone shake loose for an easy bucket.

Despite the offensive struggles, TCU got standout performances from Kianna Ray (16 points, five rebounds) and Lauren Heard (11 points, four rebounds, and four assists). Jayde Woods was in double-digits as well with 13, and Jaycee Bradley chipped in seven off of the bench. Baylor had all five starters in double-digits, but were held well below their season scoring average despite shooting 50% from the field. Their best advantage was on the boards — where they out-rebounded the Frogs 41-30 — and in the paint — where they out-scored TCU 34-22.

They were big, they were fast, and they were deep — but they never really ran away from a TCU team that laid it all on the floor.

There is no rest for the weary in the Big 12, and the Frogs’ reward for their effort is another ranked opponent, with #25 West Virginia coming to town Sunday for a 7:30 PM tip. Raegan Pebley and her team will look to right the ship and get back on track, as they hope to stay in the tournament conversation with the meat of their schedule on deck.