Cowgirls Take Down TCU, 64-54

A superb second half effort from Chaundra Sewell and Kayla Woodward gave the University of Wyoming Cowgirls a 64-54 win over TCU in the Arena Auditorium on Wednesday night.

The first half was a back and forth affair with seven lead changes. Neither team would lead by more than six points, and the difference at halftime was just one point with the Cowgirls down 30-29 after committing 10 turnovers.

Wyoming took a 31-30 lead with a Woodward basket to start the second half scoring and did not look back. TCU began the second half 0-for-10 from the field as Sewell and Woodward combined to score the first 19 points for the Cowgirls in the second frame, building a 48-38 lead with 9:25 left to play. A Kaitlyn Mileto trey with 8:08 remaining would be both the first points scored by another Cowgirl in the second half and the last field goal for UW in the game. Wyoming stepped up and sealed it at the foul line, hitting 13-of-17 free throws in the final five minutes to seal the win on their home court, 64-54.

UW (8-12, 4-3) was led by Sewell with 20 points and 11 rebounds and Woodward with 21 points and 7 boards. The Cowgirls shot 38 percents (19-50) from the field, 33 percent (4-12) from 3-point range, and 78 percent (22-28) from the free throw line. Wyoming grabbed 50 rebounds to TCU's 35.

Tonight's basketball game was about rebounding, defending and stepping up to the free throw line when we had that chance. It was good to see the rebounding battle and that we came out on top, plus when they fouled us in the last several minutes we were 10 of 12 from the line. More importantly our defense played very well. Kayla Woodward's game tonight to have 21 points, seven rebounds but she also guarded the leading scorer for TCU. I don't like the same player to be counted on to not only score and defend but the match-ups were difficult for us tonight. Chaundra Sewell also really stepped it up. They backed off from her, let her take the shots and she responded. I'm just very pleased overall with this victory.
-Head Coach Joe Legerski

TCU (11-11, 4-3) was led by freshman Natalie Ventress with 18 points. The Horned Frogs were held to 28 percent (19-67) shooting from the field, 27 percent (7-26) from beyond the arc, and 75 percent (9-12) from the charity stripe.

Mountain West play will continue for Wyoming on Saturday at UNLV on Saturday as the Cowgirls enter the second round of conference play. The game will tip at 5 p.m. from Las Vegas, coverage will begin on KOWB-AM at 4:30 p.m.