- Sedona Prince delivers 16 points and 19 rebounds in title-clinching performance
- TCU completes 21-win improvement under second-year coach Mark Campbell
- Baylor shoots season-worst 27.7% from field in defensive showdown
- First conference championship for Horned Frogs since 2010 Mountain West era
In a defensive battle that rewrote program history, TCU's women's basketball team secured its first Big 12 regular-season championship with a 51-48 victory over longtime rival Baylor. The Horned Frogs' transformation under coach Mark Campbell reached its apex as they held the 13-time conference champions to their lowest scoring output of the season.
Sedona Prince's dominance in the paint proved decisive, with the 6'7center grabbing 19 rebounds while converting 7-of-12 attempts from the field. This defensive masterclass extended TCU's remarkable turnaround - from 7 conference wins in three seasons pre-Campbell to 16-2 in Big 12 play this year.
The victory underscores three critical trends in modern college basketball:
- Coaching Impact: Programs can achieve 300%+ win improvements with strategic recruiting
- Defensive Prioritization: 82% of championship teams rank top-25 in defensive efficiency
- Regional Recruiting: Texas produces 18% of DI women's basketball players nationwide
Baylor's offensive struggles highlighted TCU's defensive evolution. The Bears missed 47 of 65 field goal attempts, including 12 consecutive misses during a critical second-half drought. Sarah Andrews' record-breaking 164th appearance ended with a season-low 1 point, illustrating TCU's ability to neutralize offensive catalysts.
This Texas-sized rivalry now shifts to Kansas City's Big 12 Tournament, where both teams receive double byes. Regional analysts note the upset could shift recruiting dynamics in the talent-rich DFW metroplex, home to 43% of Baylor's roster compared to TCU's 61% Texas-born players.
With the NCAA Tournament looming, TCU's 28-3 record positions them for potential top-16 seeding - a first in program history. The Horned Frogs have reduced opponents' scoring by 14.2 PPG compared to last season, validating Campbell's defensive philosophy.
