No. 17 TCU women’s basketball opened their season with an emphatic home victory over North Carolina A&T this past Thursday, defeating the Aggies 82-43. The Horned Frogs dominated on both ends of the floor, shooting over 47 percent from the field as a team while limiting North Carolina A&T to just 26.9 percent shooting.
TCU outrebounded the Aggies 47-31 and assisted on more than twice as many baskets, jumping out to an early lead and maintaining control throughout the game en route to a convincing blowout win.
Sophomore guard Audrey Miles had a strong all-around performance, contributing eight rebounds and six assists, looking very comfortable operating in Mark Campbell’s offense. Meanwhile, Cal transfer Marta Suarez led the Horned Frogs in scoring with 19 points on 63.6 percent shooting from the field. Suarez showcased her versatility by knocking down two three-pointers, finishing aggressively in the paint, and drawing four trips to the free-throw line. She also added four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Returning guard Donovyn Hunter played an excellent game as well, putting up 17 points, two rebounds, four assists, and four steals while shooting 50 percent from the field. With the offseason departure of Hailey Van Lith, Hunter’s role as a ball-handler has expanded, and she looked well-prepared to take on that responsibility.
At center, Clara Silva made a significant impact on both ends of the court, tallying 13 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. After losing rim protector Sedona Prince this offseason, the Horned Frogs needed a defensive presence in the paint, and Silva delivered effectively against the Aggies.
Off the bench, Taylor Bigby and Kennedy Basham provided valuable contributions. Bigby scored 10 points, including two three-pointers, while Basham blocked six shots and grabbed six rebounds, adding energy and defense to the lineup.
TCU established momentum early with a 6-0 run, fueled by aggressive shot creation that resulted in three straight layups and active defensive hands that forced turnovers. The Frogs extended their advantage to 15-2 before both teams experienced an offensive lull late in the first quarter. TCU led 17-10 heading into the second quarter.
Early in the second period, Donovyn Hunter sparked an impressive individual sequence by hitting a three-pointer, then stealing the ball on the next defensive possession and finishing with a fast-break layup. The TCU offense caught fire late in the quarter, including a stretch of three consecutive three-pointers—two by Miles and a third set up for Bigby—helping the Frogs score 22 second-quarter points and build a 16-point halftime lead.
TCU maintained control throughout the second half, outscoring North Carolina A&T 20-9 in the third quarter and 23-11 in the fourth to seal the dominant victory.
One area for improvement moving forward is ball movement against zone defenses. The Aggies employed a heavy trapping 3-2 zone in the second half, which disrupted TCU’s offensive rhythm, particularly when Miles was on the bench. As the season progresses, TCU could face more teams utilizing zone defenses to counter the frontcourt size advantage, so developing a stronger offensive execution against zones will be key.
The Horned Frogs return to action this Sunday in Fort Worth, hosting Sam Houston at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN+.
https://www.frogsowar.com/college-basketball/47216/womens-basketball-marta-suarez-olivia-miles-lead-no-17-tcu-to-season-opening-win