TCU women’s basketball claimed their first Big 12 regular season title with a 51-48 win over Baylor. Now, they’re eyeing the conference tournament championship.
FORT WORTH, Texas — For the first time in school history, the Big 12 women’s basketball regular season championship belongs to TCU.
With the No. 10 ranked Horned Frogs’ 51-48 victory over rival Baylor at Foster Pavilion, they claimed the outright Big 12 regular season title.
“Just the emotions that we felt when that buzzer went off and we knew we made history here … it was one of those feelings where you think you’re gonna be chasing it for the rest of your life after it happens,” star guard Hailey Van Lith recalled afterward.
The championship caps off a regular season that saw one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college basketball. TCU finished dead last in Big 12 play two years ago with a 1-17 conference record.
Following the win at Baylor, TCU became the second team in the history of the Big 12 to win a regular season championship within two seasons of finishing in last place.
“What a special moment for our program, a special moment for our school,” TCU head coach Mark Campbell stated.
Even though this team has already etched their names in the TCU sports history books – setting program records for most total wins, home wins, and bringing home their first Big 12 championship in program history – they’re still looking for more.
“It’s been a unique balance all year of having a ton of gratitude for the things we’ve been able to do and the way we’ve been able to trailblaze at this university” Van Lith explained. “But at the same time, we have so much potential. When we play at our best, in our flow state, we really are one of the best teams and can compete with anyone on any given day.”
It doesn’t hurt that they’re also one of the most experienced. Van Lith is one of a handful of players on the team that has prolific postseason experience.
“Seeing what final four caliber teams look like … I’ve been on the teams, I’ve seen the teams, I’ve been in those rooms. And we’re right there,” Van Lith added.
Now they turn their attention to the Big 12 conference tournament. They enter play as the No. 1 seed after their win in Waco and will face Colorado in the first round. That game is slated to tip off on Friday at 1:30 pm CT.
“It’s their last chance to make a run and cut nets in Kansas City,” Campbell said.
