TCU Advances to Sweet 16 with Overtime Victory Over Washington

In a tightly contested second-round matchup of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, the third-seeded TCU Horned Frogs defeated the sixth-seeded Washington Huskies 62-59 in overtime on Sunday night at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. This victory marks TCU's second consecutive trip to the Sweet 16, a significant achievement for a program that had never reached this stage prior to last season.

Horned Frogs Survive Washington, Advance to Sweet 16

Olivia Miles, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, led TCU with a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while also contributing eight assists. Despite a slow start, where she only scored four points in the first half, Miles played a crucial role in TCU's late-game surge. Clara Silva added 16 points and eight rebounds, including the go-ahead layup to start overtime. Taylor Bigby contributed 15 points, helping TCU secure the win after overcoming an eight-point halftime deficit.

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For Washington, Sayvia Sellers also scored 18 points and was instrumental in keeping the Huskies competitive throughout the game. Freshman Brynn McGaughy and Avery Howell added 13 and 14 points, respectively, but Washington ultimately fell short in their quest for a Sweet 16 appearance, which they last achieved in 2017.

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The first half saw Washington take control, leading 27-19 at halftime after limiting TCU to just six points in the second quarter. However, TCU rallied in the second half, with Miles assisting on key baskets that allowed the Horned Frogs to regain the lead late in regulation. The game was tied at 51-51 at the end of regulation, forcing overtime.

Horned Frogs Survive Washington, Advance to Sweet 16

In the extra period, TCU quickly established a 7-0 lead, with Miles driving for a layup and assisting Bigby on a three-pointer. Washington attempted to mount a comeback, but a missed three-pointer from Sellers as time expired sealed their fate.

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TCU head coach Mark Campbell praised his team's resilience, stating, "That was just a gritty, resilient game." He highlighted the importance of teamwork in overcoming the challenges faced during the match. Miles, reflecting on her performance, expressed gratitude to her teammates, emphasizing, "I owe it all to my teammates... I didn't want to let them down."

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Despite the loss, Washington's performance was commendable, with head coach Tina Langley noting the progress made by her team throughout the season. The Huskies had led for significant portions of the game and showcased their potential, particularly with the contributions from their younger players like McGaughy.

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With this victory, TCU (31-5) will advance to the Sweet 16, where they will face either the second-seeded Iowa or the tenth-seeded Virginia on Saturday in Sacramento, California. The Horned Frogs will look to continue their strong postseason run and build on their historic success in the tournament.

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