TCU Advances to Elite Eight with Win over Notre Dame, Hailey Van Lith Shines
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In a thrilling matchup, TCU (Texas Christian University) achieved a historic milestone by defeating the No. 3 seed Notre Dame 71-62 on Saturday, securing their first-ever spot in the Elite Eight of women’s college basketball. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Horned Frogs under Coach Mark Campbell, who guided the team to a 21-12 record last season, missing the NCAA Tournament.
The game unfolded as a tense back-and-forth battle, with TCU showcasing impressive resilience. Even when Notre Dame gained a nine-point lead in the third quarter, the Horned Frogs remained undeterred. They capitalized on opportunities at the free-throw line, going a perfect 8-for-8 during that period. This effort paid off as TCU finished the third quarter strong, outscoring the Irish 14-6 to close the gap to just one point.
Hailey Van Lith emerged as the team’s star, leading TCU with 26 points. Her remarkable performance included key plays that shifted the momentum, such as a crucial steal and a block that helped fuel TCU’s comeback.
Looking ahead, TCU will face the winner of the matchup between No. 1 seed Texas and No. 5 seed Tennessee in the Elite Eight, with a place in the Final Four on the line.
Mark Campbell’s Vision Comes to Life
When Mark Campbell took over the TCU program, he faced the challenge of rebuilding a team that had not reached the Sweet 16 and had not made the NCAA Tournament in 14 years. Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, he leaned heavily on the transfer portal to bolster the Horned Frogs’ roster. His strategy has clearly paid dividends this season.
After the victory, Campbell expressed gratitude to his coaching staff for their focus on creating a positive team culture. He emphasized the importance of not only assembling talented players but also ensuring the right personalities mesh well together. “You’ve got to get the locker room right,” he said, highlighting the hard work involved in bringing the right individuals into the program.
In addition to Van Lith’s standout performance, center Sedona Prince made significant contributions, scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds. Remarkably, all 71 points scored by TCU came from their starting lineup, which primarily consists of transfers, underscoring the success of Campbell’s strategy.
Van Lith Shines in Her Final Tournament Run
Hailey Van Lith, a standout graduate senior guard, has proven herself as a winner throughout her career. She reached the Elite Eight three times while at Louisville and played in one Final Four. Last year, she made it to the Elite Eight with LSU, and this season, she is the leading force for TCU as they make their historic run.
With Saturday’s win, Van Lith became the first player in the history of NCAA basketball—men’s or women’s—to reach the Elite Eight five times. Her confidence and competitive spirit shine brightly, as she stated, "I just have ultimate confidence and faith in myself to compete at an intense level." She acknowledged that while success isn’t just about making every shot, putting in effort and competing fiercely creates better opportunities on the court.
Van Lith’s performance included shooting 10-of-21 from the field, but it was her defensive efforts that proved vital. During the crucial moments when TCU faced a nine-point deficit, she scored back-to-back baskets, forced a turnover, and provided a key block in quick succession.
Irish Struggles in the Paint
On the other side, Notre Dame experienced difficulties in both scoring and rebounding throughout the game. The Irish struggled to find their rhythm offensively, only managing to shoot 31 percent from the field and hitting just 3 of 15 attempts from three-point range.
Van Lith noted that the Horned Frogs’ defensive strategy focused on challenging Notre Dame to take tough shots, which ultimately worked in their favor. Despite Notre Dame’s effort to battle in the paint, TCU’s size and strength proved overwhelming, leading to a disappointing fourth consecutive Sweet 16 exit under Coach Niele Ivey.
As TCU celebrates this monumental victory and looks ahead to the Elite Eight, the team’s growth and determination underscore a remarkable season that exemplifies the heart of college basketball.
