TCU guard Madison Conner (3) drives past Fairleigh Dickinson guard guard Ava Renninger (4) in the second half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Making their first appearance in the tournament since 2010, the Horned Frogs picked up the program’s first tournament win since 2006 behind 23 points from Madison Conner and 16 points and 10 rebounds by Sedona Prince.
“Just pumped to get that first one behind us,” head coach Mark Campbell said. “March Madness, it can be cruel and you have to find a way to survive and advance. This group did that today.”
TCU forward Deasia Merrill (3) guards Fairliegh Dickinson guard Abby Babore (13) in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU (32-3) had to overcome an early 17-14 deficit after the first quarter as the Knights took advantage of foul trouble to Prince and Donovyn Hunter along with some rust by the Horned Frogs, who haven’t played since March 9.
“You have a two week break from when you’re in a rhythm for three months straight,” Campbell said. “And then all of a sudden you’re thrust into a win or go home situation. I think there was a lot of adrenaline and nerves in the first half, which is healthy and good, but it kind of impacted us.”
TCU guard Hailey Van Lith (10) is announced for the starting five prior to the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
The Horned Frogs retook control of the game in the second by outscoring FDU 21-10 in the period to take a 35-27 halftime lead. Conner led the charge with 10 points in the second quarter as she picked up the scoring load with Hailey Van Lith being held scoreless in the period.
“I was just taking what they were giving me,” Conner said. “I was forcing some shots early, but I kind of settled into rhythm in the second quarter. I think my team did a good job of just getting our rhythm back, we’ve been off for awhile and I feel like that was that was going on in the first quarter.
“The second quarter I was able to settle down and get some shots I can knock down.”
TCU guard Madison Conner (2) stands on defense between the TCU sign and March Madness sign in the second half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Her 23 points were the second most points by a Horned Frog in a NCAA Tournament game.
The decisive run came in the third quarter keyed by Prince as she scored back-to-back buckets in the paint and had multiple blocks in the quarter. Conner knocked down two more 3s in the quarter as TCU took a 52-37 lead into the fourth that wasn’t challenged.
The Horned Frogs outscored FDU 38-24 in the second half and held the Knights to just 1-of-11 from the 3-point line.
“In the second half I thought the group played really good,” Campbell said. “The group got into a rhythm on both sides of the court, I thought we were great defensively. Our biggest key against these guys was to defend the 3-point line and this team really has the ability to shoot it. That’s an area we’ve worked on during the home stretch of the season, defending the 3-point line more efficiently.”
FDU, the Northeast Conference champions, finished the season with a 29-4 record.
The Horned Frogs will face No. 7 seed Louisville on Sunday at 5 p.m. (ESPN) for a chance to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
TCU guard Hailey Van Lith (10) pushes the ball up the floor in the second half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU guards Madison Conner (3) and Donovyn Hunter (4) double team Fairleigh Dickinson forward Bella Toomey (3) in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU center Sedona Prince (13) looks up at the replay after an offensive foul is called on her in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU guard Hailey Van Lith (10) has a conversation with Head Coach Mark Campbell after being subbed out in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU center Sedona Prince (13) loses the ball while being double teamed in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU center Sedona Prince (13) celebrates with her teammates after making a layup with a foul in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU guard Madison Conner (3) runs back on defense after hitting a three-point shot in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU Head Coach Mark Campbell yells at his team in the first half of the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU guard Madison Conner warms up up prior to the first round of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
TCU fans receive pom-poms from TCU Rangers members Hollie Gomez, front, and Jen Willis, rear, prior to the first round game of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Fan begin to form a line at the front doors to the stadium one hour prior to the first round game of the Women’s NCAA Championships Tournament game between TCU and Fairleigh Dickinson at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth on Friday, March 21, 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM.
