TCU women lose lead in fourth quarter to No. 6 Texas
The TCU women’s basketball team has proven it can hang with the best in the nation.
They just can’t close the deal.
Wednesday, after leading for just shy of 30 minutes, TCU couldn’t hold on to a lead that got as large as 11 points, falling to No. 6 Texas 65-58 for its fourth loss in five games.
On Nov. 21, TCU (11-7, 3-4 Big 12) held an eight-point lead over then No. 12 Texas A&M with 8 minutes left before an Aggies comeback that won the game 82-78.
The Horned Frogs led for 32 minutes.
Two weeks before that, TCU led by eight with just over six minutes to play before then No. 17 Oklahoma closed the game on an 18-1 run to win 78-65. TCU had led for 34 minutes.
Wednesday, TCU held a three-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but Texas (17-1, 6-1 Big 12) outscored the Horned Frogs 23-15 in the frame, including seven points off five TCU turnovers.
“It’s part of a process of developing a program that’s going to go from good to great,” Pebley said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to go through these experiences. We’ve got young players getting great experience.”
TCU freshman post Jordan Moore guarded Texas senior center Imani Boyette for most of the first half, during which Boyette netted eight points and pulled down four rebounds.
The Longhorns senior finished with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, marking her 10th double-double of the season.
For TCU, both Zahna Medley and AJ Alix finished with 12 points, with Medley going 3 for 6 from behind the arc.
With her first 3-pointer of the game early in the second quarter, Medley passed the 1,703 career points total of TCU assistant coach and former Longhorns standout Edwina Brown, taking possession of 33rd place in Big 12 history.
“It’s definitely exiting, but we didn’t get the win, so I’m not really focused on that right now,” Medley said. “It’s definitely exciting and I’m so thankful to be where I am and to have a coach like her.”
TCU’s third leading scorer, Veja Hamilton, had trouble knocking down mid-range jumpers, shooting 3 for 14 on the night. Hamilton posted one of the conference’s best field goal percentages last season.
“The only way I know how to help her outside of just mechanics is, you have got to get in the gym and get extra shots,” Pebley said. “That’s the way you build confidence is work. You don’t find the confidence in the game. You find the confidence in the gym, by yourself when nobody is looking.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 10:26 PM with the headline "TCU women lose lead in fourth quarter to No. 6 Texas."