FORT WORTH, Texas — Strong defensive play and a 32-point third quarter propelled the No. 12 West Virginia women to an 83-61 win over TCU on Thursday night in the Big 12 opener.
Tynice Martin scored 21 to lead West Virginia (13-0, 1-0), while matching a team-high with six steals. Teana Muldrow followed with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Guard Chania Ray matched a career-high with 17 points, dished out nine assists, grabbed six boards and collected career-best six steals. Kristina King reached double-digit scoring for a sixth consecutive game with 14 points. Lanay Montgomery led WVU with 11 rebounds.
WVU used a series of runs, including a 10-3 spurt in the first quarter to maintain the lead.
In the third quarter, West Virginia outscored TCU, 32-20, to stretch its lead to as much as 36. The Horned Frogs (8-4, 0-1) committed 20 turnovers.
West Virginia’s 17 steals were the most in a Big 12 game for the Mountaineers since joining the league in 2012-13.