TCU started slow Saturday afternoon and pulled within four late, but BYU BYU defeated the Lady Frogs 70-60 at the Marriott Center.
With the loss, TCU dropped to 18-9 overall and 10-3 in league play, while BYU, who is receiving votes in the Associated Press Poll, moved to 19-7 overall and 11-1 in the MWC.
Senior guard Emily Carter scored a game-high 26 points, including several key buckets down the stretch to rally TCU from a 22-point deficit and pull the Frogs within four late in the second half on two-straight buckets. BYU was able to knock down some late free throws to preserve the victory and hold onto first-place in the Mountain West Conference standings.
Sophomore forward Starr Crawford was the only other Frog in double-figures Saturday with 13 points. Crawford totaled a game-high 15 boards to record her seventh double-double of the year and 12th of her career.
BYU had four players score in double-figures with freshman guard Kim Parker leading the way with 14 points, while senior guard Haley Hall added 12 points for the Cougars. Both senior forward Coriann Fraughton and senior guard Jazmine Foreman each scored 10 points apiece, respectively.
Down by 20, senior guard/forward Helena Sverrisdottir found Cater on consecutive triples midway through the second half to pull TCU within 13. Crawford brought TCU within eight on a put-back. During that span the Frogs went on a 15-3 run to make the score 52-44 at the 9:41 mark of the period.
Carter continued to rally the Frogs down the stretch, scoring a three-point play to make the score 57-49 with about five minutes to go in the contest. The senior then dropped consecutive baskets, including a deep three, to bring TCU within four at 58-54, but BYU answered with a three of its own and that’s as close as the Frogs would get down the stretch.
The Purple and White opened the game on the attack as the Frogs forced BYU into two-straight turnovers before Carter drained an early three to give TCU the early lead.
The Cougars proceeded to go on an 11-0 run, but junior guard Antoinette Thompson halted the run, scoring a layup off a miss to bring the score to 13-5 with a little over 11 minutes to go.
Two-straight buckets by senior center Micah Garoutte helped the Frogs pull within eight, but BYU fired right back to take a 21-11 lead halfway through the period. Carter went on the offensive attack a few moments later, scoring three-consecutive points to make the score 21-14 at the 6:20 mark of the half.
BYU increased its lead to 36-17 before the Frogs closed the half on a 6-2 run to make the score at the break, 38-23.
TCU will have a quick turn around as the Frogs will take on Utah next Tuesday night.
