ÒI would always rather end the season with a win. And ride into the tournament with some momentum.Ó Ñ Jeff Mittie

Lady Frogs ride on wins
By Nathan Loewen
Assistant Sports Editor

Things are different than they were a year ago for the Lady Frogs as they head into the Conference USA Tournament Saturday at DePaul.

Last season the Lady Frogs went into the conference tournament after losing the final game of the year to Southern Methodist University. This season, head coach Jeff Mittie and the Lady Frogs are heading into the conference tournament on a four-game winning streak.

Simon Lopez/SKIFF STAFF Freshman center Sandora Irvin goes up for a lay-up in the 72-57 win over Marquette Sunday. The Frogs have a first round bye in the Conference USA Tournament.

“I would always rather end the season with a win,” said Mittie. “And ride into the tournament with some momentum.”

The Frogs are riding into the tournament scoring 70-plus points in their last three contests. Mittie said the offense has picked up in time for the tournament.

“I liked the way we moved the ball, we had good balance. When you pass the ball you get better shots and shoot a higher percentage,” said Mittie. “We saw that over the weekend.”

Going into the weekend the Frogs are No. 24, according to the Associated Press Poll. Mittie said he feels that unlike last year, they do not have to win the conference tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament.

“We feel like we are in the (NCAA) tournament regardless of what happens in (the C-USA Tournament),” said Mittie.

But despite this feeling, Mittie said there is still motivation to win among the players.

“There are a lot of teams fighting for a berth in the NCAA Tournament. They are cornered with their backs against the wall,” said Mittie. “Ours is a different motivation.”

Last season the Lady Frogs won both the Western Athletic Conference regular season title and tournament title. They needed to win both to get into the NCAA Tournament, Mittie said.

“Every game counts towards seeding in the (NCAA) tournament,” said Mittie. “The better position you put yourself in for the tournament, the better chance of success.”

Senior guard Ashanti Nix said even though they faced the teams once in the regular season, it will not make the tournament easier.

“This is a tough conference,” said Nix. “(You) never know who is going to win.”

The Lady Frogs will face the winner of the Saint Louis-Marquette game at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Nathan Loewen
n.d.loewen@student.tcu.edu

credits

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002