TCU women can continue momentum at West Virginia

After putting together three consecutive Big 12 wins, including its first in nine tries this season against a top 25 team, TCU has momentum going into the final three games of the regular season, beginning Wednesday at West Virginia.

Baylor, riding a 14-game win streak in conference, and TCU (15-11, 7-8 Big 12) are the only Big 12 teams on a streak of at least three wins. But TCU coach Raegan Pebley knows her team’s final three opponents are as big a roadblock as any.

“Big ‘mo’ only helps you if you can keep it on your side,” Pebley said. “The way we’re approaching our momentum is meeting it with great work ethic. This really tough stretch at the end requires us to stay present and focus.”

Coming off Saturday’s 79-65 win over then No. 17 Oklahoma State, TCU goes to West Virginia (20-8, 9-6) looking to even the season series. Offense ruled their Jan. 24 meeting as the Mountaineers outran and outrebounded (38-28) the Frogs in a 97-84 win at Schollmaier Arena.

Wednesday’s game at WVU Coliseum pits the Mountaineers’ Big 12 third-ranked defense (56.1 points a game) against TCU’s offense (72.4 points a game), second highest in the conference.

“They really dominated us on the offensive glass that night,” Pebley said. “We’re going to have to play as good on defense as we’ve played all season and keep them to one shot per possession.”

That starts with slowing the conference’s fourth-leading scorer in 6-foot-1 guard Bria Holmes, who is averaging 16.2 points and nearly five rebounds a game, just ahead of TCU guard Zahna Medley (16.0) in scoring. Medley’s third 3-pointer against Oklahoma State put her at 297 for her career, surpassing Jill Sutton’s school record.

Medley hit two more in the game and sits one shy of becoming the first woman in TCU history to hit 300. She needs 41 points to break Sandora Irvin’s career scoring mark of 1,892.

“Zahna has stayed so consistent with her senior sense of urgency,” Pebley said. “It starts with knowing the scouting reports, mentoring the freshmen and leading from an authentic, genuine place.”

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 4:47 PM with the headline "TCU women can continue momentum at West Virginia."