TCU runs spoil SLU upset bid

FORT WORTH, Texas – TCU closed out each of the final three quarters with big runs to hold off Southeastern Louisiana University, 55-46, in nonconference women’s basketball action Wednesday night at Schollmaier Arena.

SLU (2-5) led by as many as 11 in the first half, but the Horned Frogs (3-3) closed out the second quarter with a 14-0 run, scored the final 10 minutes of the third quarter and ended the game with a 14-4 rally to send the Lady Lions to their third straight victory.

Through the first six games of the season, Southeastern has featured a balanced offensive attack. The Lady Lions did not hold to form on Wednesday, as Morgan Carrier (15 points), Breonca Ducksworth (14 points) and Hailey Giaratano (13 points) accounted for all but four of Southeastern’s points.

Caitlyn Williams was the only other Lady Lion to score and led Southeastern with 13 rebounds. Her third straight double-figure rebounding performance gives her 702 for her career, moving her past current SLU assistant coach Aja Ochie for eighth place on the program’s career list.

Giaratano led the Lady Lions with four assists. Ducksworth paced SLU with a pair of steals.

Okako Adika led TCU with 15 points and eight rebounds. Lauren Heard and Michelle Berry chipped in with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Southeastern took command with a 10-0 run that started in the opening period and extended into the second quarter. The Lady Lions took a 21-10 lead with 5:39 remaining in the half on a bucket by Carrier that capped a run that saw SLU hold the hosts scoreless for a 7:42 stretch.

TCU answered emphatically by scoring the final 14 points of the half. The Horned Frogs connected on four three-point field goals during the rally with Caroline Germond’s final trey sending TCU into the break with a 24-21 advantage.

Southeastern came out strong to start the second half, opening the third quarter with a 15-5 run. A Ducksworth jumper gave SLU a 36-29 advantage with just over five minutes left in the quarter. However, TCU again forced Southeastern into a long scoring drought and went into the final quarter up, 39-36.

A three by Morgan Carrier gave the Lady Lions a 42-41 lead with 6:37 remaining. TCU responded with a 9-0 run to take a 50-42 lead with just under two minutes left. Southeastern would get no closer than six in the waning minutes.

Wednesday’s contest marked the first of a stretch that will see SLU play eight of its next nine games away from home. Southeastern travels to Prairie View on Friday for a 5:30 p.m. contest in Prairie View, Texas. A live video stream, provided by the hosts, will be accessible on the women’s basketball schedule page at www.LionSports.net.

Southeastern 46 (2-5)

Carrier 6-14 0-0 15, Williams 2-4 0-0 4, Kelly 0-5 0-0 0, Ducksworth 7-12 0-0 14, Giaratano 6-10 0-0 13, Cunningham 0-2 0-0 0, Harvey 0-3 0-2 0, Horne 0-3 0-0 0, Brown 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-54 0-2 46.

TCU 55 (3-3)

Adika 6-10 0-0 15, Berry 3-6 2-2 10, Morris 0-0 0-0 0, Jackson 1-6 0-0 3, Heard 3-13 4-6 12, Morris 3-6 0-2 6, Germond 2-5 1-2 7, Holmes 1-5 0-0 2, Manumaleuga 0-1 0-0 0, Mokwuah 0-0 0-0 0, Diggs 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-52 7-12 55.

End of 1st Quarter – SLU 13, TCU 10. Halftime – TCU 24, SLU 21. End of 3rd Quarter – TCU 39, SLU 36. 3-point goals – SLU 4-14 (Carrier 3-9, Giaratano 1-1, Harvey 0-3, Horne 0-1), TCU 10-30 (Adika 3-5, Heard 2-5, Germond 2-5, Berry 2-4, Jackson 1-6, Holmes 0-4, Manumaleuga 0-1). Technical Fouls – None. Fouled Out – None. Rebounds – SLU 31 (Williams 13), TCU 35 (Adika 8). Assists – SLU 11 (Giaratano 4), TCU 16 (Heard 4). Total Fouls – SLU 14, TCU 11. A – 1,291.

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