TCU Makes Noise in Big 12 Play as Star Point Guard Dismantles Kansas State
When the ninth-ranked TCU Horned Frogs hit the hardwood on Saturday, it wasn’t just another Big 12 matchup; it was a record victory. TCU flexed its muscle in a convincing 77-55 win over the Kansas State Wildcats, opening conference play with authority and keeping its undefeated record intact at 13-0. The Horned Frogs shot a scorching 51 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from deep, asserting offensive balance while suffocating Kansas State’s sequence. TCU’s 22-point margin of victory underscored a game largely controlled from tip-off to final buzzer, with the hosts consistently outpacing the visitors in tempo, defense, and execution. It was the type of performance that reminds the women’s college basketball world why TCU remains one of the nation’s most respected programs halfway through the 2025-26 season.
At the heart of TCU’s commanding display was senior guard Olivia Miles, who torched the Wildcats for a game-high 29 points; the most she scored in a Horned Frog uniform, while also hauling in eight rebounds and dishing four assists in a nearly triple-double effort. Miles, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, has been the engine behind TCU’s breakout campaign, averaging standout numbers and drawing national notice, including USBWA National Player of the Week and Big 12 Player of the Week honors for her combined efforts in the Kansas State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff games. Across those wins, she averaged 27 points, nine rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.5 steals, showcasing a complete skill set that’s tough to defend at any level. This performance continues a season of historic contributions: her presence has helped TCU lead the nation in defensive efficiency, holding opponents below 30 percent shooting in several games, and maintaining a staggering home winning streak now at 34 straight victories at Schollmaier Arena.
TCU’s spotlight moment was far from a one-player show. Forward Marta Suarez added 20 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore big Clara Silva posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, her third of the season, anchoring a physical inside presence that complemented Miles’ perimeter dominance. Together, the trio accounted for 63 of TCU’s 77 points, while the Horned Frogs’ ball movement generated 20 assists on 29 baskets made, a testament to the team’s offensive cohesion. Defensively, TCU held Kansas State to just a 33 percent shooting overall and a 17.4 percent three-point range, severely limiting the Wildcats’ scoring efficiency and disrupting their tempo. For Kansas State 7-7, 0-1 Big 12, it was a sobering initiation into conference play, emphasized by a tough night offensively despite efforts from guards like Taryn Sides and Jenessa Cotton.
As the season progresses, TCU’s performance against Kansas State stands as a microcosm of what makes this Horned Frog squad so special: elite talent, relentless defense, and a transcendent leader in Olivia Miles. If this game is any indication, the Frogs aren’t just defending their Big 12 crown; they’re setting themselves up as a genuine national contender. Having both defensive discipline and offensive firepower in full swing, TCU is crafting a resume that could carry deep into March and beyond.
