The Kansas women pounded on TCU during their regular season finale, combining defensive pressure with junior guard Chandler Prater’s team-leading, career-high 24 points in an 84-61 victory over the Horned Frogs on Saturday in Fort Worth Texas.
The Jayhawks forced six first-quarter turnovers for six points, but TCU held its own in rebounds, outrebounding Kansas 12-6. Three of those came on offense, and TCU went on a 10-4 scoring run before Kansas knocked them back to take a 17-16 lead heading into the second quarter.
Kansas had to rely on its bench early as senior center Taiyanna Jackson picked up her second personal foul with less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Despite Jackson being sidelined, the Jayhawks held their own in the paint.
KU flipped the table on TCU, this time outrebounding the Horned Frogs 12-6, including four offensive rebounds. The Jayhawks scored five second-chance points off of those and held TCU to just one offensive rebound.
The Jayhawks found open looks all quarter long both in the paint and from behind the arc. KU converted 50% of its shots in the quarter and 40% of its three-point attempts as Kansas extended its lead to 39-33 heading into halftime.
Prater led the game in scoring with 14 points in the first half. She was able to drive inside and get open looks in the paint, making five layups and accounting for 10 of 22 Kansas points in the paint.
With Jackson out for the quarter, TCU forward Lucy Ibeh dominated the paint on the offensive end, making nine in just nine minutes of action.
With Jackson’s return in the third quarter, Kansas shut down TCU’s momentum. They couldn’t get any open looks in the paint, and Jackson racked up three blocks in the third quarter alone as the Jayhawks held the Frogs to three baskets on 20% shooting.
On top of the defensive flurry, KU also found its rhythm on offense, converting nearly 70% of its attempts.
Kansas drained 2-of-3 attempts from behind the arc, while Jackson and Prater had their way in the paint, as the Jayhawks outscored TCU 24-10.
Kansas took a 63-43 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The offense continued to roll for the Jayhawks in the final quarter. KU outscored the Horned Frogs 21-18 and also made 61% of its attempts, putting the game out of reach for any comeback attempt and sealing the 84-61 win.
Prater ended the regular season with 24 points and added five assists and four rebounds as she led the Jayhawks all night long. Three other Jayhawks scored in double figures: Jackson (16), senior guard Holly Kersgieter (14) and junior guard Wyvette Mayberry (18).
TCU guard Tomi Taiwo led the Horned Frogs with 19 points, while three others scored in double digits. TCU was held under 38% shooting overall and were outrebounded 39-27 in the game.
Kansas finishes its regular season with a 19-10 record (9-9 Big 12), while TCU ends its season at 7-22 (1-17). The Jayhawks look ahead to the Big 12 Conference Tournament, which begins Thursday, Mar. 9.
Damon Young/Kansas Athletics
