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Frogs Advance, Beat EMU 85-81
Alix hits seven three-point field goals as Frogs advance in Postseason WNIT
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FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU sophomore AJ Alix hit seven three-point field goals and scored 23 points to lead TCU to an 85-81 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday night at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena in the second round of the 2016 Postseason Women’s NIT.
With the win, TCU (18-14, 8-10 Big 12) secured multiple wins in the postseason for just the second time in program history and will make their second all-time appearance in the round of 16 in the Postseason Women’s NIT.
“It was about composure and it was about confidence too,” said head coach Raegan Pebley of her team’s effort. “When they went on runs it was usually because offensively we were second guessing ourselves and we were a little hesitant in certain areas instead of continuing to play with what was getting us that win. It was great to see that we were able to regain some of that, and they made a couple really tough shots and we made a couple bad decisions… I’m very proud of our guards especially handling the press at the end of the game and dealing with a lot of proximity and pressure. ”
Alix’s seven three-point field goals set a new career high for the Houston native and were tied for the fifth most by a player in a game in TCU history. She hit 7-of-13 shots in the game and added five assists and five steals to pace five scorers in double figures.
After EMU scored the game’s opening basket, the Frogs went on an 8-0 run that saw Alix nail a pair of three-point field goals, both from the wing. EMU answered with five straight to pull within 8-7 just over two minutes into the game before the TCU offense took center stage for the remainder of the quarter. Alix’s first three of the game came courtesy of Zahna Medley’s 500th career assist.
TCU scored the next 11 of the game, including six from Hamilton during the run. EMU answered TCU’s first double-digit lead with three free throws before the Frogs scored the next 12 of the game to take a 31-10 lead with 7:28 to go in the second quarter. The Frogs lead surpassed 20 points without leading scorer Medley scoring a single point. The Frogs built the lead as the defense held EMU to 15 consecutive missed shots until they nailed a shot with 6:51 to go in the second quarter to spark a 6-0 run.
Medley wouldn’t find the scoreboard until 4:15 to go in the second quarter as TCU led 35-19. EMU’s offense began to find a rhythm late in the second quarter as they eventually pulled within 12 at the halftime break at 42-30.
TCU had three runs of 8-0 or better in the opening half in building the double digit. It came in part thanks to 12 point first half efforts from Hamilton and Alix. TCU shot 48.6 percent from the field in the opening half, including a 6-of-12 mark from three-point range.
EMU fought back in the second half, pulling within four at 49-45 with 5:48 to go in the third quarter before a Caitlin Diaz basket sent the game to a media break with 4:54 left in the period and TCU leading 51-45. Medley nailed a three in transition following the media break and Hamilton got a basket in transition to go up 56-45 to cap a 7-0 run as TCU reclaimed the double-digit lead.
EMU (22-12, 10-8 MAC) would fight back in the final quarter and specifically the final three minutes, closing within four on multiple occasions, including at 80-76 and 85-81 in the final minute of play. The Frogs hit 10-of-12 free throws in the final quarter of play to help secure the win.
With TCU connecting on 47.7 percent of its shots and getting assists on 25-of-31 field goals made, the Frogs were able to scored 85 points and reach the 80-point plateau for the second consecutive game, a first for TCU since December.
Hamilton inched closer to the 1,000 career point mark as she tied her season high with 18 points. She needs 11 more points to reach the mark.
“Veja’s got so many assets to her game and one of the things that is so valuable about her is her IQ,” said Pebley. “She’s been playing with a senior sense of urgency and really valuing the moment. She understands that legacies are being left right now and her performances are really demonstrating that.”
The Frogs are making their 14th appearance in the postseason in the last 16 seasons, tied for the third longest streak in the Big 12 Conference alongside Iowa State. Baylor and Oklahoma each have made a postseason tournament in each of the last 16 seasons. It is the third straight appearance in the Postseason Women’s NIT for TCU, who earned the Big 12 Conference’s automatic bid into the event for the third straight season.
NOTES
• In addition to the 23 points from Alix, Jada Butts had 10 points, Veja Hamilton had 18 points, Zahna Medley had 13 points and Toree Thompson added 11 points.
• TCU had assists on 25-of-31 field goals in the game.
• TCU’s 25 assists were tied for the 10th most in a single game in TCU history.
• TCU scored 80 points or more in consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 5, 2015 and Dec. 9, 2015.
• TCU is 6-3 in its last nine games, including a win over No. 17/17 Oklahoma State.
• TCU has won at least 18 games for the third consecutive season.
• Sophomore AJ Alix had 23 points and hit 7-of-10 three-point field goals.
• Alix had seven three-point field goals in the game, tying for the fifth most in a game in program history and marking just the 12th time in TCU history that the Frogs have had a player hit seven or more three-point field goals in a game.
• Alix scored in double figures for the 23rd time in her career and 21st time this season.
• Alix hit the 20-point mark in a game for the fourth time this season and for her career.
• Alix has hit multiple three-point field goals in eight of TCU’s last nine outings.
UP NEXT
TCU will await the results of Monday’s second round matchup between Arkansas State and UTEP in El Paso before a date and site are determined for a third round Postseason WNIT matchup with a chance to advance to the quarterfinals on the line.