Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
FORT WORTH, Texas — No. 17 TCU used a dominant third quarter to rally past No. 19 West Virginia 59-50 on Sunday night at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena, extending the Horned Frogs’ home winning streak to 40 games.
TCU (23-4, 11-3 Big 12) trailed by six at halftime before erupting for 20 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter. The Horned Frogs made their first eight shots out of the locker room — including four 3-pointers — and outscored the Mountaineers 24-11 in the period to seize control.
An Olivia Miles layup capped a 20-2 run and gave TCU a 42-30 lead with 4:48 left in the third.
WVU (21-6, 11-4) had dictated the pace in the first half, holding the Horned Frogs to 22 points on 10-of-28 shooting and forcing six turnovers. After falling behind 7-2 early, the Mountaineers responded with a 20-4 run over the next 10 minutes.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Riley Makalusky off the bench pushed WVU to its largest lead of the night at 22-11. The Mountaineers carried a 28-22 advantage into halftime and held a 7-0 edge in points off turnovers.
But the second half belonged to TCU.
The Horned Frogs shot 10 of 14 in the third quarter and finished with a 32-22 advantage in points in the paint. TCU also held a 32-28 edge on the glass and turned up defensive pressure late, limiting WVU to just two field goals in the final four minutes.
Sydney Shaw’s 3-pointer at the 5:59 mark of the fourth quarter was the Mountaineers’ final field goal. Neither team made a basket over the final 2:50, with WVU scoring three free throws and the Horned Frogs one down the stretch.
Gia Cooke led all scorers with 18 points for the Mountaineers. Shaw added 12 points, including three 3-pointers, and Celia Riviere contributed six points and a team-high eight rebounds. Kierra Wheeler finished with six points, five rebounds and four assists.
WVU shot 18 of 53 from the field and 6 of 24 from 3-point range, including 1 of 7 from deep in the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers were held to just seven second-half field goals.
Jordan Harrison was held scoreless for WVU, missing all five of her shots while collecting five rebounds and four assists.
Silva and Marta Suarez scored 14 points apiece to lead TCU. Miles added 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Taylor Bigby chipped in 10 points. The Horned Frogs committed just four turnovers in the second half.
With the win, TCU claimed first place in the Big 12, holding the tiebreaker over Baylor. The Mountaineers sit half a game back heading into an off week.
WVU returns to action Saturday against Oklahoma State at Hope Coliseum in Morgantown. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
