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Frogs
focus on last road trip There are still six games left on the TCU women’s basketball schedule, but head coach Jeff Mittie can’t help but think of the possibility of the Frogs going to their first-ever NCAA tournament. “It’s only natural to think of going to the NCAA tournament,” Mittie said. “We’re pleased with our start and focus, but we have set both short-term and long-term goals. One reason we have achieved what we have this season is because we’ve left (our long-term goals) where they need to stay.” But before the Frogs can even think about making it to the postseason, they will first have to survive a three-game road trip and a Feb. 25 home match up against the Western Athletic Conference’s No. 2 team Hawaii. The Frogs, who have won 11 straight and remain a perfect 10-0 in conference play, begin their road trip today at Nevada (12-11, 5-6 WAC). Senior guard Amy Porter said she expects the season’s final road trip to be a challenge, especially the game against Nevada. “The games we have coming up will be the toughest three games because they’re on the road, and because Nevada, Fresno State and (Texas-El Paso) are all very good teams,” Porter said. “We know Nevada will be fired up to play us because we beat them pretty good the last time we played them. Defense is going to be the key.” In the last meeting between Nevada and TCU, Jan. 12, the Frogs defeated Nevada, 82-66. The Wolf Pack shot just 35.3 percent (12-of-34) from the field in the first half. Despite losing three straight games and falling to fourth in the WAC, the Wolf Pack are 9-2 at home and average 46 percent shooting from the field. Nevada’s lineup features the WAC’s second leading scorer and the conference’s second best three-point percentage shooter. Sophomore Kate Smith averages 18.8 points a game in 23 games this season, while senior Ashley Bastian has made 44.7 percent (46-of-103) of her shots from behind the arc. TCU senior guard Jill Sutton leads the league in three-point percentage shooting with 45.5 percent (50-of-110). Freshman guard Ebony Shaw said winning on the road will give the Frogs a huge advantage in their game against Hawaii. “It’s very important to get these wins away because it will make it easier to win against Hawaii,” Shaw said. “Since we’re leading the conference, every team is coming out to beat us. It is fun to be undefeated, but if we can’t stay focused, teams will come (from behind) to beat us. “It’s always good to get wins on the road too.” Kelly
Morris |