TCU, BYU Complete First-Round Action in WBIT
TCU won and BYU lost in first-round action of the WBIT on Thursday, the newest postseason event for women’s college basketball.
The Horned Frogs and the Cougars were the only two Big 12 teams selected for the event, which was formed this year to correspond with the NCAA’s Postseason Men’s NIT.
TCU (21-11) hosted North Texas (23-9) and won, 67-58, as the Horned Frogs played just six players for the bulk of the game. TCU fought depth issues in Big 12 play, to the point where it had to forfeit two league game as it didn’t have enough players to compete safely.
The lack of depth didn’t matter as five different Horned Frogs hit double figures as the team shot better than 50% for the game. Sedona Prince led TCU with 17 points and six rebounds.
Madison Conner dropped in three 3-pointers on her way to 16 points, while also dishing out five assists. Agnes Emma-Nnopu scored 13 points with seven rebounds, Una Jovanovic scored 11 points and Aaliyah Roberson added 10 points.
Tommisha Lampkin led North Texas with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
BYU went to Santa Clara and fell, 60-59.
Down the stretch, BYU tied the game at 58-all on a 3-pointer by Rose Bubakar with 58 seconds left. After a pair of turnovers, Santa Clara’s Tess Heal drove in for a layup with four seconds left to give Santa Clara a two-point lead.
Santa Clara fouled BYU’s Lauren Gustin while Gustin was trying to grab an offensive rebound with one second left. Gustin made the first free throw but missed the second, giving Santa Clara the win.
Amari Whiting led BYU with 14 points, while Kaylee Smiler scored 13 and Lauren Davenport added 10 points. Gustin grabbed 11 rebounds but only scored six points.
Heal led Santa Clara with 17 points.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
