TCU Defeats Virginia 79-69 to Advance to Elite Eight

Suarez and Miles power Horned Frogs to second straight regional final appearance

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:53am

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The No. 3 seed TCU Horned Frogs defeated the 10th-seeded Virginia Cavaliers 79-69 in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament. TCU was led by Marta Suarez's 33 points and 10 rebounds, and Olivia Miles' 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Horned Frogs will now face top-seeded South Carolina on Monday with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Why it matters

TCU's victory over Virginia marks the second straight year the Horned Frogs have advanced to the Elite Eight, showcasing the program's continued growth and competitiveness at the highest level of women's college basketball. The matchup with South Carolina will be a rematch from earlier this season, providing an opportunity for TCU to avenge a previous loss and potentially reach the Final Four for the first time in school history.

The details

TCU opened the second half with a 17-4 run that put them ahead for good, though Virginia made a late push to cut the deficit to six points in the final minute. Suarez and Miles combined for 61 of TCU's 79 points, with the rest of the Horned Frogs roster contributing just 18 points. Virginia was led by Paris Clark's 20 points and Kymora Johnson's 18 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds.

  • TCU and South Carolina will face off on Monday, March 31, 2026 with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The players

Marta Suarez

A standout forward for TCU who had 33 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Virginia. Suarez is likely to be a high draft pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.

Olivia Miles

A senior guard and three-time All-American for TCU who finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists against Virginia. Miles is also expected to be a high WNBA draft pick.

Paris Clark

A key player for Virginia who scored 20 points in the loss to TCU.

Kymora Johnson

A standout guard for Virginia who contributed 18 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds in the Sweet 16 matchup.

South Carolina

The top-seeded team that TCU will face on Monday with a trip to the Final Four on the line. South Carolina defeated TCU earlier this season.

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What they’re saying

“Marta and Olivia have been an unstoppable duo for us all season. They really stepped up when we needed them most today.”

— Raegan Pebley, TCU Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Monday's matchup between TCU and South Carolina will advance to the Final Four of the 2026 women's NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

TCU's continued success in the NCAA Tournament, including a second straight Elite Eight appearance, demonstrates the program's growth into a national powerhouse. The Horned Frogs' dynamic duo of Suarez and Miles have led the team to new heights, and a potential rematch with top-seeded South Carolina provides an opportunity for TCU to reach the Final Four for the first time.