Lady Frogs look to end losing streak
Coach blames
inconsistent play, turnovers for start
By Drew Irwin
Skiff Staff

The women’s basketball team did not lose in its first three Conference USA games last season.

But this season is a different story.

Three games into this season’s conference play, the team has yet to win a game.

Head coach Jeff Mittie said for the Lady Frogs (7-9, 0-3) to turn the season around, they need a more consistent offense. He said if TCU can create more turnovers, it can do a better job offensively.

“I think we need to simplify some things,” Mittie said. “I think, now, less is more. We’ve always worked hard to understand the other team, but I think we just need to understand ourselves. It’s strange to do that in January, but that’s where we are. We need to find our identity if we’re going to succeed.”

The Lady Frogs will have a chance to grab their first C-USA win at 7 p.m. today against East Carolina (8-7, 0-2) at home, where they have won six of their eight games this season. TCU is 0-7 on the road this year.
“This group has high expectations for themselves,” Mittie said. “When you don’t have expected success, there is always disappointment.”

The Lady Frogs led for more than half the game against Cincinnati Friday, but the Bearcats took control of the game in the second half and never looked back.

“We played a good game against Cincinnati,” Mittie said. “They just made a few more good plays than we did.”
Mittie attributes the poor start to the team’s tough schedule. TCU has played several nationally ranked teams.

“We’ve lost games because we’ve played some good teams,” he said. “When you’re on the road against a quality opponent, it’s not easy to win.”

Despite the Lady Frogs’ record, sophomore forward Sandora Irvin currently leads C-USA in rebounding and blocked shots. Junior forward Tiffany Evans is shooting 45 percent from 3-point range.

Senior guard Tricia Payne, who tied a career high for 3-pointers with five against Cincinnati, said the tough start is starting to sink in.

“As a leader, it makes you question how good you are,” she said. “But (the captains) are doing a good job. Leadership isn’t the problem; we just need to be more consistent.”

The Lady Frogs currently have a negative turnover margin and are shooting 38.8 percent from the field, 12th in C-USA.

“For our team, defense has triggered offense,” Mittie said. “The lack of turnovers is affecting our shooting percentage, and we’ve struggled.”

Mittie said the team is focused on getting better and playing its best.

“I’ve seen a lot of disappointment,” he said. “But there is never as much bounce in a team after a loss. This team is digging deep, and focusing one game at a time.”

Tonight’s game will the Lady Frogs’ first at home in four games.

Drew Irwin
r.a.irwin@tcu.edu

credits

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002