TCU
Sw Missouri St
TCU Lady Frogs Pound SMS 77-44
12/15/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 15, 2001
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU Lady Frogs (6-2) easily handled the Southwest Missouri State Lady Bears in a nonconference tilt at the Fort Worth Convention Center on Saturday night, winning a 77-44 decision. SMS, who was a 2001 NCAA Tournament participant, managed just 18 points in the first half, and eventually became the fifth TCU opponent to fail to cross the 50-point barrier.
"I thought our defensive effort was outstanding, especially in the first half," TCU head coach Jeff Mittie said. "I was proud of our team for the way they played tonight."
The Frogs trailed just once during the game (6-4) and took control of the contest by going on a 10-0 run from the 10:47 mark of the first half until the 4:52 mark. Thanks to that six-minute defensive stand, the Frogs opened up a 27-12 advantage and never looked back.
TCU was able to increase the lead to 19 at half at 37-18. The Frogs then bolted out of the gate after intermission, mounting an 8-0 run in the first two minutes to bury the Bears. TCU led by as many as 39 points before settling for the 33-point margin of victory.
The game was extremely physical, as 55 fouls were called, including 33 on SMS. TCU made a living at the free throw line, canning 29-of-41 shots from the stripe.
The Bears connected on just 23.4 percent of their shots from the floor (15-of-64). In addition, SMS' starters accounted for just 14 total points in the contest.
Freshman Sandora Irvin picked up her fifth double-double of the season as she posted team highs in points (17) and rebounds (15). Ebony Shaw chipped in with 13 points, and all 12 Lady Frogs entered the scoring column.
The Frogs next play Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tues., Dec. 18 at 5:15 p.m. at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. The game will be followed by the TCU/SMU men's basketball game at 8:05 p.m.
