TCU women banking on strong inside-outside play early in season

TCU’s hot hand from the outside netted the Horned Frogs their third consecutive win to open the season Sunday as they hit 15 3-pointers in a 76-67 win over SMU, but solid play in the interior has been the constant.

The Frogs will look to open up the offense and threaten the opposing defense from the paint and perimeter Tuesday when Grambling State (1-2) visits Schollmaier Arena.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Sophomore center Jordan Moore is averaging 11 points and eight rebounds a game, and forward Amy Okonkwo has been one of the key contributors off the bench with her ability to post up and shoot from long range.

TCU coach Raegan Pebley said Moore’s emergence is primarily due to improved conditioning in the off-season after spending her freshman season surrounded by bigger, more experienced post players in the Big 12.

“For post players, you not only have to play in great shape up and down 94 [feet], but at each end you’re dealing with the most physical elements of the game,” Pebley said. “She’s sustaining her effort through that. She’s doing some really good things defensively as well, trying to prevent people from getting touches deep in the paint.”

The Horned Frogs also limited SMU to eight offensive rebounds in the team’s latest win. That tenacity on the glass combined with the 3-point threat of AJ Alix (five 3-pointers against SMU), Jada Butts (three) and Amber Ramirez (three) would make TCU the dangerous team it wants to be when conference play rolls around in late December.

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "TCU women banking on strong inside-outside play early in season."