Omaha Mavericks - NCAA Men's Hockey - Preview

The TCU Horned Frogs faced off against the 19th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in a gripping Big 12 Quarterfinal matchup. The Horned Frogs, unranked this season, entered the game with an underdog status but were determined to make their mark. Despite a valiant effort, they fell short with a final score of 53-69.

<img src="/imgproxy/e-PlPyer_isur3Z0s5ROqIlwTklRiTZ1R9Rw56wQZWw/rs:fit:800:800:false:false/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdG9yYWdlLmdvb2dsZWFwaXMuY29tL3dtdC1nYW1lcy1zZXJ2aWNlL2NiYjA4ZDRlMDU5MjIzNWIxOGUxZGJmODYzNjZjNWE0LmpwZw==?image_id=9c516e5d-dd35-4d7d-bb54-48306230563b" alt="Mar 9, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Payton Verhulst (12) fights for a rebound against Texas Christian Horned Frogs guard Madison Conner (3) during the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports" title="Mar 9, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Payton Verhulst (12) fights for a rebound against Texas Christian Horned Frogs guard Madison Conner (3) during the first half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports" /> From the opening quarter, it was evident that the Horned Frogs had a challenging game ahead. They managed to put up only six points compared to the Sooners' 16. However, as the second and third quarters unfolded, TCU showed resilience and determination by matching their opponents with 18 points in each period. The team's shooting accuracy from two-point range was low at 29 percent and similarly from beyond the arc at also 29 percent. Free throws were more successful for them with an accuracy of 69 percent.

The Horned Frogs' defense worked hard throughout the game but couldn't contain Oklahoma's offense which scored consistently across all four quarters. On offense, TCU accumulated a total of fifteen assists but struggled with turnovers having nine in total which translated into nine points for Oklahoma off those turnovers.

<img src="/imgproxy/GO8JQpK-xk0qdhpuGH8SVeyVzIOnK2SNzkfwBnaezXA/rs:fit:800:800:false:false/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdG9yYWdlLmdvb2dsZWFwaXMuY29tL3dtdC1nYW1lcy1zZXJ2aWNlL2E1MWM4YjA2ODJiYTVlMzdlZDUzN2I1ZjNhNWYxZGVhLmpwZWc=?image_id=f8c574b3-d3b2-4f3b-a101-f44d2d665c9e" alt="Mar 9, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Sahara Williams (32) shoots the ball against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports" title="Mar 9, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Sahara Williams (32) shoots the ball against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports" /> Rebounding was one area where TCU stood out; they grabbed thirty-five rebounds over Oklahoma's forty-six but notably secured eight offensive boards contributing to four second-chance points. Defensively they pulled down twenty-five rebounds yet it wasn't enough to gain control over the game flow.

One bright spot for TCU was their assists-to-turnover ratio which stood at an impressive 1.88 despite falling behind in other statistical categories such as field goal percentage and points in paint where they recorded fourteen compared to Oklahoma's thirty.

<img src="/imgproxy/Z0QeA4wSKwGomzU4-h66JP7tVnnKNDpO_6W1DQi5s_o/rs:fit:800:800:false:false/aHR0cHM6Ly9zdG9yYWdlLmdvb2dsZWFwaXMuY29tL3dtdC1nYW1lcy1zZXJ2aWNlLzEwYjQxMDBmOWM4MDc5MjU1NzVhYmQ5NzI4ZmQxZjU1LmpwZWc=?image_id=e0b6d334-f70c-4b1e-a3b1-282603c33ae4" alt="Mar 9, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Payton Verhulst (12) shoots the ball against Texas Christian Horned Frogs forward Aaliyah Roberson (23) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports" title="Mar 9, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Payton Verhulst (12) shoots the ball against Texas Christian Horned Frogs forward Aaliyah Roberson (23) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports" /> Oklahoma capitalized on their opportunities effectively throughout each quarter maintaining consistent scoring momentum that kept them ahead of TCU until the final buzzer sounded sealing their victory at home.

As fans look forward to future games, they can catch live broadcasts featuring analysis and play-by-play action ensuring not a moment is missed from upcoming contests involving their beloved Horned Frogs.

Omaha Mavericks - NCAA Men's Hockey - Preview

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