The West Virginia women’s basketball team started slow on Friday against Kansas State to win 73 to 69. They are advancing to the semifinal of the Big 12 tournament to face eighth-ranked TCU. It is a matchup between the fourth and first seeds in the Big 12. It should be a close matchup on a neutral floor in Kansas City, Missouri. I will bring you the WVU women’s basketball Big 12 semifinal preview to get you ready for the matchup, which tips off at 4 p.m. EST in the T-Mobile Center.
West Virginia vs. TCU Matchup
These teams met already this season during the regular season during conference play. TCU won 70 to 57 at home after starting hot, winning the first quarter 20-9. Haley Van Lith scored 26 points, shooting eight of 12 from the floor and seven of 10 from the line. She also had six rebounds, four assists, and one steal. She is one of the best players in the nation and proved it in that matchup by filling up the stat sheet. Sedona Prince was the second-leading scorer in that game with 20 points, making eight of 19 field goals and three of her four free throws. She added eight rebounds, two assists, and seven blocks.
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West Virginia struggled from the field in their first meeting, only shooting 30.5%. They only shot 16.7% from three, making three of 18 attempts. They also got killed on the glass; TCU had 47 rebounds to WVU’s 27. JJ Quinerly led the way in scoring for the Mountaineers with 13 points, making five of 18 shots from the field and all three at the charity stripe. Jordan Harrison had 11 points, making three of 14 field goals and five of six from the line.
WVU Women’s Basketball Big 12 Semifinal Preview
The Mountaineers have hit their stride coming into the Big 12 tournament. JJ Quinerly is averaging 31 points per game over her last three games and should have a better outing in their second matchup with TCU. WVU must make the Horned Frogs frustrated on offense. TCU ranks tenth in turnovers per game with 11.7. They committed 18 in their first meeting, but the Mountaineers could not capitalize on the offensive side of the ball. WVU forces 24.4 turnovers per game, which ranks third in the country, and TCU only forces 13.5. WVU must speed up the guards of TCU and get easy points on the other end.
Stopping Hailey Van Lith must be a priority for the Mountaineers. She averages 17.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game and fills up the stat sheet. Van Lith had 24 in TCU’s quarterfinal matchup against Colorado but only had three rebounds and three assists. She will score, but WVU must stop her playmaking ability. Turning her over early will be a key for the Mountaineers in winning this game and not letting her find a rhythm because the Horned Frogs offense runs through her. It will be a close, intense matchup, but I expect the Mountaineers to give them a run for their money on a neutral court after getting beat by 13 in Fort Worth.
Prediction: WVU by 1 point
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West Virginia struggled from the field in their first meeting, only shooting 30.5%. They only shot 16.7% from three, making three of 18 attempts. They also got killed on the glass; TCU had 47 rebounds to WVU’s 27. JJ Quinerly led the way in scoring for the Mountaineers with 13 points, making five of 18 shots from the field and all three at the charity stripe. Jordan Harrison had 11 points, making three of 14 field goals and five of six from the line.
WVU Women’s Basketball Big 12 Semifinal Preview
The Mountaineers have hit their stride coming into the Big 12 tournament. JJ Quinerly is averaging 31 points per game over her last three games and should have a better outing in their second matchup with TCU. WVU must make the Horned Frogs frustrated on offense. TCU ranks tenth in turnovers per game with 11.7. They committed 18 in their first meeting, but the Mountaineers could not capitalize on the offensive side of the ball. WVU forces 24.4 turnovers per game, which ranks third in the country, and TCU only forces 13.5. WVU must speed up the guards of TCU and get easy points on the other end.
Stopping Hailey Van Lith must be a priority for the Mountaineers. She averages 17.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game and fills up the stat sheet. Van Lith had 24 in TCU’s quarterfinal matchup against Colorado but only had three rebounds and three assists. She will score, but WVU must stop her playmaking ability. Turning her over early will be a key for the Mountaineers in winning this game and not letting her find a rhythm because the Horned Frogs offense runs through her. It will be a close, intense matchup, but I expect the Mountaineers to give them a run for their money on a neutral court after getting beat by 13 in Fort Worth.
Prediction: WVU by 1 point