TCU
Rice
Rice downs TCU, 82-74
12/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2007
FORT WORTH--TCU's early-season struggles continued Thursday, as Rice handed the Lady Frogs an 82-74 loss at Houston Baptist's Sharp Gym. The Lady Frogs' season record dropped to 3-5, including 0-3 on the road.The Lady Frogs trailed by only three points at the half, 39-36, but Rice caught fire from the field after intermission and went on to shoot 52 percent in the second frame. The Owls also took advantage of a strong presence in the paint to gain a 47-34 rebounding margin over TCU for the game.
The Frogs shot only 39.3 percent from the field themselves, the sixth straight game they have failed to break 40 percent since the season-opening win over Delaware.
Adrianne Ross led TCU with 17 points, including 15 in the second half, while she tied season highs with six rebounds and four assists. Emily Carter posted the top performance of her short TCU tenure with 14 points and eight boards, both career-high totals. Carter passed her previous high of five points just under 14 minutes into the game thanks to a pair of 3-pointers.
Three other Frogs reached double-figures in scoring: Lorie Butler-Rayford (12 points), Danielle Nunn (11) and Moneka Knight (10). Butler-Rayford also notched a team-high four steals for TCU, which forced the Owls into 20 turnovers. Helena Sverrisdottir added seven boards.
Kadie Riverin and Tara Watts proved to be a lethal combination on the perimeter for Rice, as the guards combined to hit 14-of-20 field goals, including 4-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc. Riverin poured in a game-high 25 points and added seven assists, while Watts chipped in 17 points and five helpers. Valeriy Berezhynska posted a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 10 boards.
Rice led by as many as 14 points with just over eight minutes remaining. Despite the Lady Frogs making several attempts at closing the gap, the Owls were able to respond each time.
TCU cut the deficit to six points with just over two minutes remaining with an 8-2 scoring run, but Riverin nailed a trey to push the lead to nine. Ross then brought the Frogs back to within six on a 3-pointer of her own before Berezhynska recorded a layup and ensuing foul shot with just over a minute left.
Daniel-Meyer Coliseum will be the site of a true basketball double-header Saturday, as the Lady Frogs take on Coppin State following the TCU men's contest against Texas Southern. The women's game is scheduled to tip off 30 minutes following the conclusion of the men's game, which begins at Noon.
