TCU overcame a slow first-quarter start, in part thanks to a huge third quarter from Marta Suárez, to beat Cincinnati 83-70 on Wednesday and claim at least a share of the regular season Big 12 title.
TCU can claim the title outright with a win over Baylor on Sunday in a highly anticipated rematch of the Horned Frogs’ blowout over the Bears earlier in the season.
Head coach Mark Campbell talked about the stage being set for a massive game in Fort Worth.
“It’s senior night for our seven seniors, playing our rival. You know, we got College GameDay that’s coming to town. It’s just going to be an incredible environment to be in prime time for our last home game,” said Campbell, “College GameDay, they pick five games a year in the country to be a part of for women’s basketball. So what a testament to what we’ve built and so excited for Sunday.”
The win makes the Horned Frogs the first team in Big 12 history to win back-to-back titles within three seasons of finishing in last place.
Early second-half comeback
The Horned Frogs trailed going into the half, thanks to a combination of tough shot making from Bearcat guards and TCU missing shots it would normally make, whether from three-point range or at the rim despite open looks at times.
Despite its offensive struggles — TCU shot 29% in the first half — it only trailed by six at the end of that half with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting from Olivia Miles and Suárez. However, the Horned Frogs’ defense displayed its usual dominance, holding the Bearcats’ offense in check by allowing only 33.3% shooting.
The turnaround started as soon as the second-half whistle sounded, with TCU starting the half on an 18-3 run powered by a three-point barrage from Miles, Donovyn Hunter, Taylor Bigby and Suárez.
Head coach Mark Campbell, talking to KTCU 88.7 FM, explained what he said at halftime to help the Horned Frogs get back in the game.
“We didn’t have any special halftime talk. I mean, we’re competing for a league title. Winning on the road is always difficult and hard. Cincinnati, give them a lot of credit. This is their last home game. They played with a great passion, a great energy. Their kids played their butts off, and that first half, we just didn’t have the mojo. But credit, you know, we’ve had great third quarters all year, and this group came out. Did it again? I mean, we scored 60 in the second half,” Campbell said.
Miles came on with 11 points, four rebounds and five assists, with three made 3-pointers in the second half.
TCU’s offense didn’t drastically change its approach in the second half, but shots that hadn’t fallen in the first half started to fall in bunches as the defense continued to turn up the pressure, holding the Bearcats to 36.7% second-half shooting.
Suárez’s third-quarter explosion
After a slow start for Suárez, the senior forward came out on fire at the half and had more points in the third quarter (15) than the entire Bearcats team (14) and did it much more efficiently, shooting 5 of 6 from the field with two made 3-pointers. She also added her usual high-level defense and grabbed three offensive boards.
Campbell praised Suárez for her recent play and tenacity on the court.
“She’s been on quite a rhythm. Last eight to 10 games, she just settled in, and she’s picking her spots, and she’s playing her butt off. That’s what you need your seniors and your veterans to do. And so she was tremendous, what a half that she had. And against Iowa State, her spirit and competitiveness in the second half was also special,” Campbell said.
Suárez was the game’s first player to score 20 points or more, and it was the fifth time in her past seven games to hit that benchmark.
Suárez finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists, her most points scored in a Horned Frogs uniform and a career high.
Donovyn Hunter gets back on track
Hunter has struggled from the field over her last two games, shooting a combined 5 for 20, but was a steadying presence in the first half against Cincinnati, leading the team in first-half scoring.
Hunter was an early scoring threat, leading TCU’s scorers in the first half while the offense was struggling and continued as the offense found its footing in the second half.
Hunter scored 16 points and two rebounds in her first double-digit scoring game since the Horned Frogs’ loss to Colorado in early February.
TCU will play Baylor next, hoping to sweep its Big 12 foe at 3 p.m. Sunday at Schollmaier Arena.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 7:48 PM.
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Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.