TCU
New Mexico
Lobos get past Lady Frogs, 75-54
2/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2007
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Despite getting a game-high 24 points from Adrianne Ross, the TCU women's basketball team was unable to overcome a 14-point halftime deficit, as New Mexico topped TCU, 75-54, in front of 12,437 on Senior Day at The Pit on Sunday.
Four players scored in double figures for New Mexico (20-7, 10-4 Mountain West Conference), who shot 24 more free throws than the Lady Frogs (19-9, 9-5 MWC) and shot 57.1 percent (8-of-14) from three-point range.
"Our execution right now is not anywhere near where it was two weeks ago," head coach Jeff Mittie said. "On Jan. 24, we beat this team by 24 points and they haven't lost since. If we'll commit to getting back to winning basketball, we can do the exact same thing."
TCU forced 25 turnovers, but shot 35.5 percent from the floor and made just 3-of-12 three-pointers (25.0 percent), as New Mexico earned its eighth straight win. New Mexico hasn't lost since TCU beat them 67-43 on Jan. 24.
"There is some frustration right now that we are compounding our problems," Mittie said "I don't fault our effort. Our kids are playing hard."
After having a four-hour flight delay in Dallas on Saturday due to windy conditions, the Lady Frogs' trip didn't get much better from the start of the game, as New Mexico jumped out of the blocks by taking a 19-6 lead and eventually a 14-point lead at the half. Contributing to New Mexico's hot start was its 6-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc in the first half.
Despite the halftime deficit, TCU would not give up, as the Lady Frogs went on a 12-3 run to pull within five, 42-37, before the Lobos answered with an 11-2 run to extend their lead back to 14, 53-39, with 11:41 to play. During TCU's run, Ross scored eight of the 12 points before picking up her fourth foul with 13:22 to play. Ross returned with 10:44 to play in the game.
TCU ran into foul difficulty throughout the game with two starters fouling out (Ashley Davis and Lorie Butler-Rayford) and the other three picking up four fouls. TCU committed 28 fouls compared to 17 by New Mexico.
After New Mexico was able to increase its lead back to 14, 53-39, TCU scored six of the next eight point to pull within nine, 54-45, with 8:49 to play. Unfortunately, the Lady Frogs couldn't continue their run, as New Mexico pushed its lead to 20, 71-51, by piecing together an 11-0 run.
A native of Hobbs, N.M., Ross scored her 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting and had six steals in the loss. Jenna Lohse had a career-best nine rebounds, while JimAnne Hejny and Hanna Biernacka each had eight points.
New Mexico was led by Julie Briody, who recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Brandi Kimble also had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
In the first half, TCU had three steals within the first two minutes of the game, but was only able to score two points off the turnovers. With the score knotted at six, New Mexico scored 13 unanswered points to take a 19-6 advantage with 12:28 to play.
Trailing 23-10 with 8:00 minutes to play in the half, a pair of free throws by Ross ignited an 11-5 run that pulled the Lady Frogs within, seven points, 28-21, with 4:07 to play in the half.
However, with New Mexico holding a 31-25 lead, the Lobos scored the final seven points of the first half and took a 39-25 lead into the locker room.
Ross led TCU at the break with eight points. Briody led the Lobos at the half with 14 points. New Mexico was able to take a 14-point lead into the half by making 6-of-9 three-pointers.
Ross picked up her second foul at the 16:32 mark in the first half and was saddled on the bench for 7:02 before returning with 9:30 to play in the half.
TCU's 14-point halftime deficit was its largest since trailing Maryland by 23 points at the half in the first game of the year.
On top of a four-hour delay on Saturday, head coach Jeff Mittie was unable to get into his room prior to the game due to a faulty lock at the team hotel and he had to wear a TCU warm-up for the game.
TCU will return to the court on Wednesday when they travel to San Diego, Calif., to face San Diego State at 9 p.m. CT.
