Fast breaks

A look ahead to 2008-09 women's hoops

ESPN.com women's basketball analyst Charlie Creme came out with his pre-preseason Top 25 this week, and although TCU isn't ranked, several of its upcoming opponents are high on the list -- very high. The Lady Frogs will play four of Creme's top 13 teams before opening Mountain West Conference play next season, including the season opener at HOME against No. 2 Maryland. TCU also will play an ESPN2 game at No. 11 Texas A&M. The other two opponents are No. 7 California and No. 13 Oklahoma State, and both games will be played on the road. And oh, by the way, they'll do it without the five departing seniors whose names are all over the school record books. Coach Jeff Mittie has solid young talent and three skilled transfers to work with, but they'll have to come together quickly.

Other Big 12 teams ranked in the poll are No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 15 Texas and No. 19 Baylor. It's no surprise who Creme is picking to win it all -- Connecticut. He has national champion Tennessee falling to No. 8 after losing its entire starting lineup. Here's a look at the entire list.

-- Lori Dann

Season ends for Lady Frogs

Colorado scored 12 of the first 15 points in overtime to pull away for a 96-90 overtime win over TCU in the Women's NIT quarterfinal at Coors Events Center in Boulder. TCU pulled within 90-87 on Lorie Butler-Rayford's 3-pointer with 56 seconds left, but the Lady  Frogs never got any closer. TCU ends its season at 23-12 while Colorado (19-14) will host Marquette in the semifinals Wednesday night.

-- Lori Dann

Fantastic finish ... and there's more

TCU's Helen Roden grabbed an offensive rebound and beat the buzzer with a putback to send the Lady Frogs' WNIT quarterfinal game against Colorado into overtime. That came just after a clutch pullup jumper from Colorado's Whitney Houston.

-- Lori Dann

TCU trails for first time

After leading the entire game, TCU now trails Colorado 69-68 with 4:31 left. The Buffs are on a 13-3 run, capped by Aija Putnina's 3-pointer that put them ahead.

-- Lori Dann

Knight picks up third foul

It took TCU point guard Moneka Knight less than three minutes to pick up her third foul, but coach Jeff Mittie is gambling by keeping her in the game. So far it's paying off. Immediately after the foul, Knight hit a 3-pointer, and she now has 13 points as the Lady Frogs lead Colorado 54-44 in the Women's NIT quarterfinals.

-- Lori Dann

Lady Frogs weather storm

After Colorado made an 11-0 run to pull within three, TCU responded with a 7-0 streak of its own to stretch its advantage back to double-digits. Adrianne Ross had five of the points, going coast to coast and spinning past a defender for a layup, then hitting a 3-pointer to make it 42-32. The Lady Frogs lead 44-38 at the half behind Ross' 12 points. Jackie McFarland has 11 points and Aija Putnina has 10 for the Buffs. The winner takes on Marquette, a 69-64 winner over Kentucky, in the semifinals.

-- Lori Dann

Another strong start for TCU

Just like they did against Texas Tech, the TCU Lady Frogs have jumped out to an early lead against Colorado in the Women's NIT quarterfinals. Behind 10 early points from point guard Moneka Knight, TCU is up 29-18 with 7:55 left in the first half. The Lady Frogs scored 20 of the first 24 points and held Colorado's leading scorer, Jackie McFarland, scoreless for more than 10 minutes. McFarland has scored the Buffs' last five points, however, and the large crowd at the Coors Events Center is beginning to get louder.

-- Lori Dann

TCU advances to WNIT final eight

TCU closed the game with a 21-12 run in the final 8:18 to pull out an 81-74 victory over Texas Tech in the third round of the Women's NIT in Lubbock. Adrianne Ross, playing in front of her own cheering section from nearby Hobbs, N.M., led the Lady Frogs with 23 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Lorie Butler-Rayford also had a huge game with 15 points and 15 rebounds, and Helena Sverritsdottir added 16 points. TCU will now meet the winner of tonight's Colorado-Villanova game at a site and time to be determined.

-- Lori Dann

TCU up by 6

Adrianne Ross and Helena Sverritsdottir have combined for TCU's last eight points, keying a 15-7 run for a 75-69 lead with 2:02 left in their third-round WNIT matchup with Texas Tech in Lubbock. Ross now has 21 points, wile Lorie-Butler Rayford and Sverritsdottir have 14 each.

-- Lori Dann

Lady Frogs hanging tough

TCU trailed by as many as seven points early in the second half but has rallied for a 65-62 lead over Texas Tech with 7:48 left. The way this game is going, that lead won't last long.

-- Lori Dann