Paint defense, shooting woes leave Houston women’s basketball decimated at No. 14 TCU

The good times didn’t last long for Houston women’s basketball, as it was dismantled in a 90-45 loss to No. 14 TCU at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas Wednesday.

The Cougars kept it close in the first quarter, trailing only 19-14. But after that, the Horned Frogs put the game out of reach as fast as a finger snap.

After shooting 43.8% in the first quarter, Houston’s efficiency woes struck again, averaging just 25.3% over the final three quarters.

“It’s a tough team right there we played tonight,” coach Matthew Mitchell said. “TCU was fantastic. Players were well coached, and just a lot of firepower. Too much for the Coogs tonight.”

That firepower came in TCU finishing the game shooting 57.6% from the field and averaging over 50% in every single quarter, showcasing its efficiency.

Much like in their game against Cincinnati Sunday, the Cougars struggled to protect the paint once again, as the Horned Frogs outscored them 54-20 inside the paint. 

TCU also dominated the glass, winning the rebound battle 46-22 with 10 offensive boards, which allowed it to score 12 second-chance points.

Two Horned Frogs reached 20 points. Graduate forward Marta Suarez achieved a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double, while graduate guard Olivia Miles had 25 points, five rebounds, six assists and four steals on the night.

Junior guard Kierra Merchant was the only Cougar to reach double digits, finishing the game with 12 points on 6 of 13 shooting off the bench.

The Cougars, now 7-15 overall and 1-10 in Big 12 play, will rematch No. 18 Texas Tech on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. at Fertitta Center, for the start of a two-game homestand.