2014 Big 12 women's basketball tournament: Big second half propels TCU past Texas Tech, 75-59

The Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-24) battled hard. However, for a team that hadn't won in 19 games, figuring out how to close a close game was a lost idea. TCU Horned Frogs (19-13) used an 18-3 run that spanned almost 7 1/2 minutes in the second half to pull away from the Red Raiders.

"The difference for us was some rebounding, hustle plays," Coach Jeff Mittie said. "I thought Chelsea Prince at the front of the zone was critical. And Obviously we shoot 60 percent in the second half."

In what was a slow paced game early on, as both teams had just 12 points through the first eight minutes of the game, it was Zahna Medley and Natalie Ventress's combined 17 points in the first half that really allowed the Horned Frogs to stay with the Red Raiders.

Junior Amber Battle finished with 23 points on 11-of-19 shooting. Plus Ivonne Cook-Taylor was very good for the Red Raiders, finishing 8-of-10 from the floor for 18 points. They combined for 17 of the 25 second half points for Texas Tech.

After being badly out-rebounded in the first half, the Horned Frogs were able to pound the glass in the second half, including seven offensive boards. They were able to score 13 points of second chance opportunities. The Horned Frogs only turned the ball over eight times tonight. It was the third lowest total of the season.

Texas Tech led at halftime for just the second time this season versus a Big 12 opponent.

It didn't last. Just 3 1/2 minutes into the second half, Ventress hit two free throws, giving the Horned Frogs a 38-36 lead with 17:21 remaining. TCU would not relinquish the lead from that point forward. Texas Tech would tie the game up at 46-all with 13:04 remaining.

Medley and Ventress both scored 18 for the Horned Frogs this evening. Latricia Lovings contributed 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting, and so did Prince. She had 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Prince was also instrumental on the defensive side, helping limit what the Red Raiders could do in the second half.

That's when the Horned Frogs went on their run to seal the game. They used an 18-3 run over the span of 7:20 minutes and were able to put the Red Raiders away finally. Through the stretch, the best defense in the Big 12 held the Red Raiders to just 1-of-7 shooting, and forced two turnovers during that stretch.

Texas Tech's season ends at 6-24, and on a 20-game losing streak.

For coach Candi Whitaker, the plan now moves forward to better their players. They started three true freshman on this squad all season long, including a junior, Battle. There is plenty of potential on the roster, It's now just molding the potential into actual talent and being able to win the games you're competing hard in. That's the next step.

For TCU, they'll now get a chance to beat the West Virginia Mountaineers. TCU led at halftime in the previous meeting before being outscored 35-29 in the second half. Both meetings, West Virginia wins, were decided by eight points. That game is scheduled to tip-off at 6 p.m.

"The two games we've had have been down to the last four minutes both times," said Mittie. "We're not sneaking up on them. We'll have to put together as good a game plan as we can."

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