TCU Women’s Basketball 78, Kansas State 67: Heard & Holmes power Frogs to big win

Lauren Heard had 27 and Aja Holmes added 20 off the bench for TCU Women’s Basketball Wednesday night, as the Frogs powered past the Powercats with a huge second half.

Holmes hit her first two shots, both from behind the arc, helping TCU hold off K State for a 16-14 first quarter lead. But Kansas State roared back in the second, hitting 8-11 shots while the Frogs struggled to the tune of just five made buckets and 13 points in the frame. Trailing 34-29 at the half — despite turning the ball over just three times while forcing 10 — the Frogs came out with a vengeance in the third, connecting on 5-9 attempts from deep — three of which came from Holmes — and shooting 58% from the field on their way to a 28 point frame. Heard, who had 13 points in the first half, had just three in the third quarter, but got plenty of help as six players scored, aided by her six assists. The run was punctuated by Holmes’ nine points, while Michelle Berry poured in six points and doled out three assists. Berry and Heard combined for 19 of the Frogs 21 points in the game, as they were able to ride the big cushion to the finish line. TCU finished on an 8-0 run, keeping the Cats off the scoreboard the final 2:25 while forcing a trio of turnovers.

Kansas State outshot TCU from the field 48-43%, but the Frogs 13 to 6 advantage from deep made all the difference. They also had ten fewer turnovers, turning Kansas State’s 19 into 20 points. Though the Wildcat’s out-rebounded TCU 34-28, the Frogs had eight offense boards, 13 second chance points, and got 30 points off of the bench. It wasn’t a dominant game statistically, but they made the plays they had to make and got hot from behind the arc after struggling from the floor last weekend at Kansas.

In addition to Heard and Holmes’ big games, Michelle Berry had 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Hearded added eight boards and nine dimes to her 27 point night. Eight players scored Wednesday night, but no other player had more than four points.

Next up for TCU is a tough road game in Ames against Ashley Joens and the Cyclones, who have been strong at home in conference play. The game against Iowa State is scheduled for 7:00pm Saturday.