Senior Helena Sverrisdottir broke TCU’s career assists record, scored a game-high 24 points and had a career-high seven steals in a 68-60 victory over UNLV Saturday at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Senior Emily Carter added 13 points and had six assists.

“For (Sverrisdottir) to have the assist record is a special record here, because we’ve had some very good players that have had that,” said head basketball coach Jeff Mittie. “For that to happen it takes a team, you got to make some shots after you pass it.”

The Lady Frogs notched their second win in Mountain West Conference play and fourth consecutive game overall. TCU (10-6, 2-0 MWC) won its second game of the season after trailing at the half. Sverrisdottir scored 19 of her 24 points in the second half UNLV closed the first half on a 7-0 run to go up 29-25.

“I don’t think we played very well today, particularly the first half was just really ugly, 11 turnovers and we didn’t shoot it very well,” Mittie said. “I do think this team is coming together. I think this is a game I’m not sure we win in the first semester.”

UNLV (7-8, 0-2 MWC) has yet win a game within the confines of Daniel-Meyer Coliseum and is now 2-14 overall against TCU.

UNLV senior Erica Helms led the Lady Rebels with 11 points and junior Markiell Styles neared a double-double with seven points and nine rebounds.

UNLV had 25 turnovers while TCU recorded 12 steals and held the Lady Rebels to one three-pointer (1-8) in the second half after UNLV shot 50 percent (3-6) from beyond the arc in the first half. TCU scored 24 points off turnovers.

“Every single player seems really into it right now,” Sverrisdottir said. “We are having a lot more fun. We come in to practice every day now willing to do whatever coach wants us to do.”

Carter hit a three from the top of the key to open the second half and Sverrisdottir tied the game at 30-30 the next trip down the court.

UNLV tied the game at 38-38 with 13 minutes to go, but Sverrisdottir answered with her lone three-pointer of the second half to regain the lead.

UNLV took a 51-49 lead at the 8-minute mark, but Sverrisdottir answered on the next possession and then finished a three-point play the next TCU possession to bring the lead to 54-51.

Sophomore Starr Crawford, who scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds, finished on a tough layup to stretch the Frogs’ lead to 63-56. Carter drained another trey to give TCU its biggest lead at 66-56.

Notes

UNLV started their opening possession of the game with a men’s ball before officials and players realized the ball was not regulation size. UNLV head basketball coach Kathy Olivier protested the fact that her team had to use a men’s ball for their opening possession.

Sverrisdottir is now the all-time TCU assists leader with 465. She passed Natasha Lacy, who recorded 461 assists for TCU from 2003-06.

Attendance for Saturday’s game was 2,692.

Up Next

TCU will face Wyoming Wednesday in Laramie, Wyo. At 8:00 p.m. CT.