NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The Arizona women’s basketball team (2-2) erased a 16-point halftime deficit, but TCU (4-1) was able to hang on for the victory with good defense and free throw shooting in the fourth quarter to win 68-59 at the Warner Center Marriott Thanksgiving Classic on Friday evening.
Sam Thomas was the best player on the floor tonight as she poured in a career-high 20 points on 7-10 shooting while adding in seven rebounds, two blocks and three made three-pointers. The freshman is averaging 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks on 53% shooting through the first four games of her career.
JaLea Bennett got the Wildcats going in the third quarter as she scored eight of her 10 points in the period. The senior also grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots.
Destiny Graham was rather effective on the glass tonight as she tied her career-high with 11 rebounds. Graham scored eight points to go along with her double-figure rebounding effort.
TCU got out to a good start as they began the game on an 11-3 run, but the Wildcats got some scoring going to make the count 18-12 TCU at the end of one. The Horned Frogs extended their lead with some good defense in the second quarter as they only allowed five Arizona points, making the score 33-17 TCU at the half.
The third quarter was all Arizona as they outscored the Horned Frogs 25-11 with eight points coming from Bennett and seven coming from Thomas, making it a 44-42 lead TCU heading into the fourth quarter. The two teams battled down the stretch, but TCU forced a few late turnovers and made 10 of their 11 free throws, giving them the victory.
Arizona wraps up their four-game road trip tomorrow night at 6 p.m. MST as they face the loser of the Cal State Northridge-Idaho game in the third-place game.
