The last time the TCU Horned Frogs (8-13, 3-13 Big 12) took on the Kansas State Wildcats (8-15, 3-13 Big 12), they had a 3-game losing streak behind them and came out with a victory.
However, this was not the case last night. After losing three games, the Horned Frogs fell 79-76 into a heartbreaking overtime loss.
In the first half, both teams would swap runs as Kansas State took an early 7-0 lead. However, the TCU fought back with a 6-0 run under the leadership of Senior Guard Lauren Heard. The Wildcats would run 6-0 in response to the TCU and finish the first quarter at 21:14.
Kansas State Guard Christianna Carr had a career night against the Horned Frogs and scored 31 points. Carr would score 13 of their 31 points in the first quarter and 22 in the first half. However, the Horned Frogs were able to keep the All-Big-12-Center Ayoka Lee to just two points in the first half.
The Wildcats went into half-time with a lead of 37:27 when the Horned Frogs from outside the Arcs shot 4:19 and Heard missed the last two minutes of the first half.
« We got off to a slower start than necessary and that has happened in a few games now, but I’m proud of the fight, the effort and the strenght. » They didn’t give up. Heartbreaking that we couldn’t come out with a win on the road, ”said head coach Raegan Pebley. « I know this is a team that fearlessly tries to fight and stick together. »
The TCU came out strong at halftime as the team cleared a 16-point deficit. Guards Aahliyah Jackson and Tavy Diggs scored a three in the third quarter to help the Horned Frogs beat Kansas State at 23:18 and cut the lead to just five points (55:50).
» In the second half they only spent a second half together and there was better synergy on the floor, « said Pebley.
Heard would take over in the second half. After scoring just nine points in the first half, she scored 11 of her 35 points in the third quarter. « Lauren was incredibly offensive in her efforts today, both offensive and defensive and on the board, » said Pebley. « She just gives her team everything she has and you know it’s special to see her perform. » For the Wildcats, Lee scored 27 points in the second half and Carr only three.
The TCU would get their first lead after a theft from Michelle Berry, resulting in a layup that gave the TCU the 58th 57 lead, five minutes before the end of the game.
A summer beater from Lauren Heard 44 seconds ahead would end the game at 64 and send the game into overtime as neither team could move on in the final seconds.
The teams swapped the lead in extra time, but the Horned Frogs would miss out as Diggs hit a shot that counted as a two-pointers instead of three and failed to tie the game.
The TCU remains on the road as the Frogs battle the Oklahoma Sooners this Thursday, March 4th. and the game will air on Big 12 Now on ESPN.
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