TCU
Colorado State
Lady Frogs Clinch Share of MWC Title at CSU
2/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 27, 2010
FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Freshman forward Starr Crawford led a balanced TCU scoring effort with 15 points, and the Lady Frogs clinched a share of their first regular-season conference championship since 2001-02 with a 73-61 victory over Colorado State Saturday at the Rams' Moby Arena.
TCU improved to 21-6 overall and 11-3 in the Mountain West Conference standings. Thanks to New Mexico's 62-30 victory Saturday evening over BYU, the Frogs can finish no worse than in a tie for first place with two games still to play. The squad will have a chance to lock up its first MWC title outright at home Tuesday vs. the Lobos.
The conference championship is the third regular-season title in program history. The Frogs previously won one each as members of the Western Athletic Conference (2000-01) and Conference USA (2001-02). Saturday's victory also locked up at least the No. 2 seed in the Mountain West Conference tournament for TCU, meaning the Frogs will receive two byes and begin play in the semifinal round on Friday, March. 12.
The Frogs ran out to a 20-point lead at the half Saturday before coasting in the second half to their 10th consecutive victory against the Rams. TCU is unbeaten against CSU as a member of the MWC.
Crawford fell just one rebound shy of a double-double, adding nine boards to her team-high point total. Three other Frogs also scored in double figures, including junior guard/forward Helena Sverisdottir, who finished with 14 points and eight boards to go along with team highs of four assists and five steals.
Senior guard TK LaFleur totaled 13 points after a 5-of-7 showing from the field, including a 3-for-3 effort from 3-point range. LaFleur helped the Lady Frogs total eight treys during the game in all. Junior guard Emily Carter also reached double figures with 11 points. She was a perfect 6-for-6 on free throws.
Forward Chantilla Van Grinsven paced CSU with 17 points and four blocked shots. Fellow forward Meghan Heimstra recorded 14 points and nine boards, while guard Bonnie Barbee scored 10 points.
The Frogs connected at a high rate from behind the arc in the opening 20 minutes while moving out to a sizable halftime lead, shooting 6-of-13 from 3-point range, including a 3-for-3 showing by LaFleur. The squad also found success with its inside game. Crawford totaled 10 points in the opening half to help the Frogs outscore the Rams 12-4 in the paint.
TCU made eight of its first 12 shots from the field while running out to a 23-9 lead, then reeled off a 9-2 run later in the half to move on top by 18 points, 32-14, with just over eight minutes remaining in the period. The Frogs closed the half on a 7-0 run for a 20-point edge at the break, 46-26.
Key for the Frogs in the first half were significant advantages in rebounding (23-17) and points off turnovers (12-5). The squad posted an even 50.0 percent overall field-goal percentage while holding CSU to just 27.6 percent shooting.
CSU slowly inched closer late in the second half after TCU had built its lead to 24 points, 60-36, with 13:23 left in the game. A big 3-pointer by Sverrisdottir with 4:16 remaining all but sealed the Frogs' victory after the Rams had climbed back within 14 points.
TCU returns to Fort Worth for its regular-season home finale Tuesday against New Mexico. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, as three Lady Frog seniors set to make their final home appearances will be honored with a special on-court celebration following the contest. The game will be telecast nationally by The MountainWest Sports Network (The Mtn.).
Players Mentioned
