March Madness hasn’t tipped off yet, but Kansas State women’s basketball has emerged as a Cinderella story in the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament.
Kansas State became the first No. 12 seed to advance to the semifinals in Big 12 Tournament history after upsetting No. 4 Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals and No. 5 Texas Tech in the second round via double-digit comebacks. Kansas State also set a tournament record with 17 made 3-pointers vs. Cincinnati in the first round.
The Wildcats are now looking to play spoiler to No. 1 seed TCU in the semifinals on Saturday.
“This team has had a knack for the dramatic wins,” Kansas State head coach Jeff Mittie said on Friday. ‘It feels great to be playing our best basketball in March.”
The Horned Frogs are in pursuit of back-to-back Big 12 Tournament championships. Marta Suarez (17) and Taylor Bigby (13) combined for 30 points in TCU’s 63-46 quarterfinal win over BYU on Friday. Olivia Miles added a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to set a new TCU single-season assist record (209).
TCU previously defeated Kansas State 77-55 on Dec. 20. Here’s everything you need to know about the Big 12 Tournament semifinal matchup:
Halftime: Kansas State 33, TCU 32
Kansas State may be the first No. 12 seed to advance to the semifinals in Big 12 Tournament history, but the Wildcats aren’t playing like it. Kansas State has a one-point lead over TCU heading into halftime.
TCU hasn’t been playing its brand of basketball so far. The Horned Frogs are controlling the boards (27-11) but losing the turnover battle. TCU coughed up 12 turnovers in the first half, compared to only two for Kansas State.
Marta Suarez has a team-high eight points and four rebounds for the Horned Frogs. Olivia Miles was limited to 13 minutes in the first half after picking up her third personal foul. She has seven points, shooting 2-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from the 3-point line.
Olivia Miles in foul trouble early
Olivia Miles is headed to the bench early after picking up her third foul with 7:00 remaining in the second. Kansas State’s Gina Garcia knocked down the and-one free throw to tie the game, 21-21.
End of Q1: Kansas State 13, TCU 10
Kansas State has relied on lengthy runs throughout the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament and they used another to take the lead against TCU after one quarter. The Wildcats ended the first quarter on an 11-2 run to take a 13-10 lead into the second quarter.
Turnovers have been TCU’s kryptonite early. The Horned Frogs surrendered eight first-quarter turnovers, which K-State converted to eight points. As a result, TCU struggled to find any offensive rhythm. TCU started the game 3-of-7 and was scoreless for nearly seven minutes (0-for-7) after that to end the first quarter. Olivia Miles has three points and two fouls for TCU.
Jordan Speiser leads the Wildcats with five points off the bench. Five different Kansas State players recorded a steal.
TCU has five early turnovers
The first Big 12 Tournament semifinal matchup is underway at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. TCU jumped to an 8-2 lead over Kansas State, but the Wildcats upped their defensive intensity and forced the Horned Frogs into five turnovers. The turnovers spurred Kansas State’s 6-0 run to tie it 8-8 with 4:18 remaining in the first quarter.
What time is TCU vs. Kansas State?
The Big 12 women’s basketball tournament’s semifinal round tips off Saturday, March 7, with a matchup between No. 12 Kansas State and No. 1 TCU at 4 p.m. ET at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
- Date: Saturday, March 7
- Time: 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT)
- Location: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, Missouri)
The winner will advance to the championship game on Sunday, March 8 (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+). Selection Sunday follows on March 15, with March Madness tipping off on March 18.
TCU vs. Kansas State: TV, streaming
The Big 12 women’s basketball tournament semifinal game between TCU and Kansas State will be shown exclusively on ESPN+.
Stream TCU-Kansas State on ESPN+
TCU women’s basketball starting lineup
Head coach: Mark Campbell
- 1 Taylor Bigby | G 6-1 – Senior
- 4 Donovyn Hunter | G 6-0 – Junior
- 5 Olivia Miles | G 5-10 – Senior
- 7 Marta Suarez | F 6-3 – Senior
- 17 Clara Silva | C 6-7 – Sophomore
Kansas State Wildcats starting lineup
Head coach: Jeff Mittie
- 3 Brandie Harrod | G 6-1 – Freshman
- 4 Nastja Claessens | F 6-1 – Junior
- 6 Gina Garcia | G 5-10 – Freshman
- 11 Taryn Sides | G 5-7 – Junior
- 34 Tess Heal | G 5-10 – Senior
TCU women’s basketball roster
Olivia Miles stats
- 2025-26 average: 19.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.9 steals, 48.9 FG%, 34.5% 3PT (32 games)
Miles’ transfer from Notre Dame to TCU has been seamless if you look at her stat line. Miles is the centerpiece of the Horned Frogs’ offense and has upped her scoring average from 15.4 points last season to a career-high 19.8 points. Miles tops the nation with five triple doubles and is the only player to record 600 points, 200 assists and 200 rebounds so far this season. She has done so efficiently, setting career highs in field goal (48.9%) and free throw percentage (84.7%). Miles was named Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, following in the footsteps of Hailey Van Lith. Miles’ 209 assists broke TCU’s single-season assist record set by Van Lith last season (204).
K State women’s basketball roster
Kansas State X-Factor: Jordan Speiser
Kansas State freshman guard Jordan Speiser has been a breakout star for the Wildcats at the Big 12 Tournament. Speiser recorded a career-high 21 points off the bench in Kansas State’s 74-73 upset of Oklahoma State, shooting 8-of-13 from the field and 5-of-10 from the 3-point line. Speiser is 13-of 25 from the 3-point line through three games at the tournament.
Big 12 women’s basketball tournament 2026
All times Eastern
Saturday, March 7- Semifinals
- Game 13: No. 12 Kansas State vs. No. 1 TCU | 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Game 14: No. 2 West Virginia vs. No. 6 Colorado | 6:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Sunday, March 8
- Championship: Winner of Game 13 vs. Winner of Game 14 | 5:00 p.m. (ESPN+)
Big 12 women’s basketball standings
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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