Frogs playing for record 17th win
Women’s basketball looks to end decade-long losing streak to SMU

By Kelly Morris
Associate Sports Editor

The TCU women’s basketball team will attempt to record its 17th win of the season, the most victories it has ever recorded in its history, today against a team they haven’t beaten in 10 years.

The Frogs will be playing against cross-town rival Southern Methodist at 7 p.m. in Dallas. TCU hasn’t defeated the Mustangs since a 60-53 win Jan. 3, 1991. SMU leads the all-time series 37-7.

But senior guard Amy Porter said although the game will be a challenge, she isn’t worried.

“The SMU game will be the biggest game of the year for us so far, but we’re ready,” Porter said. “We’ve been thinking about this game for a long time in the back of our minds. We can’t wait.”

SMU is currently third in the Western Athletic Conference at 7-3 and 12-9 overall. When playing against conference opponents at home, the Mustangs are undefeated.

Senior forward Janice Thomas said she expects the SMU game to come down to the last shot.

“As with any game against SMU, it’s always a close game,” Thomas said. “That’s just how it goes with us. It’s been a goal for all the seniors on this team to win against SMU, and it’s something we’ve wanted to accomplish for a long time.”

Head coach Jeff Mittie said a close game just might be what the Frogs need right now.

“We need a game where our palms are a little sweaty and our heart beats a little quicker,” Mittie said. “The last game that was that exciting was probably our road game at Rice. While the SMU game is going to be a big basketball game, it’s still just a game.”

In the Frogs’ 16 wins so far this season, their average margin of victory has been 23.8 points. The Frogs have lost by an average of 15.75 points a game in their four losses. TCU is also 12-3 in games decided by 11 points or more and just 4-1 in games decided by 10 points or less.

Mittie said the Frogs have to be prepared to face a much better SMU team than its 5-6 non-conference record might show.

“SMU’s putting up more points and a little bigger line up with (sophomore center Kaci) Alexander and (senior center Katie) Remke, who are playing more together and playing better together,” Mittie said. “(Alexander and Remke) give them the biggest inside game in the league. SMU is a good basketball team that is starting to play better.”

The Mustangs are on a two-game winning streak. They are coming off a 57-52 win Feb. 4 against Tulsa. Before the Tulsa game, the Mustangs managed to score 86 points in a win against Rice Feb. 2.

The Frogs are on a winning streak of their own which stands at nine games and are 8-0 in the WAC.

Porter said although it might be difficult, the team would love to go undefeated in the conference.

“Being 8-0 is great, but we want to be 16-0 in conference,” Porter said. “It will take a lot to do that and a lot of focus.”

Kelly Morris
k.l.morris@student.tcu.edu