TCU: “They didn’t want me to have the ball": TCU star Hailey Van Lith brushes off Baylor's tactics following Big 12 championship win

“They didn’t want me to have the ball": TCU star Hailey Van Lith brushes off Baylor's tactics following Big 12 championship win

By Lindsey Ware

Modified Mar 10, 2025 18:03 GMT

NCAA Womens Basketball: Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship-Baylor vs TCU - Source: Imagn — NCAA Womens Basketball: Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship-Baylor vs TCU (image credit: IMAGN)

A new Big 12 Tournament winner has been named. Top-seeded TCU defeated No. 2 seed Baylor 64-59 in the championship game on Sunday. Horned Frogs star Hailey Van Lith had something to say following her team's win.

“They didn’t want me to have the ball, that’s OK," Van Lith said, via ESPN.

Expand Tweet

Van Lith played 39 minutes and recorded 20 points, up from her 17.9 points per game average this season. However, half of her points came from free throws. The senior guard made all 10 of her attempts against the Bears (27-7, 15-3).

She shot 55.6% but attempted only nine field goals. Van Lith also only attempted one 3-pointer, which she missed. It was rare for her, as she averaged 5.3 3-point attempts on 33.9%.

Van Lith's three rebounds and three assists were below her season averages and she turned the ball over five times. It was an uncharacteristic game for her but she was still a significant contributor in the win.

Van Lith made a bucket with 48.8 seconds remaining to give her team a four-point lead. She was named the Big 12 Tournament MVP.

TCU (31-3, 16-2) is the No. 6-ranked team in the country and moved up to a two-seed in NCAA Bracketology after the conference championship win.

Hailey Van Lith's senior season at TCU

Hailey Van Lith is in her first campaign with the TCU Horned Frogs after spending last year with LSU and the first three seasons of her college career with Louisville. She has had increases in her points, rebounds and assists since last season.

Van Lith's 17.9 ppg is the second-highest of her career and is up from 11.6 last season. Her 4.4 rebounds are up from 2.4 at LSU and her 5.3 assists are a career high.

Van Lith is shooting a career-best 45.9% this campaign. With a Big 12 Tournament championship behind her, the senior guard will look to lead TCU in its March Madness run.

About the author

Lindsey Ware is a college sports journalist at Sportskeeda with over five years of experience working with publications such as The News & Observer, The Daily Tar Heel, Triangle Tribune and Cardiac Cane. She has also worked for Major League Baseball, The Holly Springs Salamanders, The Tri-City Chili Peppers, Tuffy Talk, Super Meteors Basketball, Just Good Network and Living Sport.

Lindsey has a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Journalism from UNC Chapel Hill. Her education allowed Lindsey to gain experience in sports communication, which she honed in internships. Other than being a storyteller and sports fanatic, Lindsey is also a social media and marketing specialist.

Her favorite college team is UNC, although she grew up a N.C. State fan as both of her parents are Wolfpack alumni. Michael Jordan was a huge deal in North Carolina when Lindsey was growing up, and after a summer spent at UNC’s Sports Journalism Camp back in high school, Lindsey was set on being a Tar Heel.

Lindsey's favorite college coach of all time is Roy Williams. During her time attending UNC Chapel Hill and writing for The Daily Tar Heel, Lindsey was lucky enough to meet and speak with Williams a few times. He was like a celebrity on UNC’s campus and was beloved for his coaching style and success with the Tar Heels, accumulating three NCAA championship titles in 18 years.

When not watching or writing about sports, Lindsey enjoys reading, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and spending time with my friends, family and dog. She also likes to journal, watch movies and paint.

Know More

Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here

Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez