It has been Hailey Van Lith’s year, no matter the end results. “I have a hard time believing that anybody in any sport in one year can have a greater impact than what Hailey Van Lith has had at TCU,” says coach Mark Campbell. Program’s first tourney appearance in 15 years, ‘Ms. March’ title floating around, and solid nods for the jersey to be hung, HVL’s journey spoke of the player. But the very last game of her collegiate career? It was marred with claims of bias and dissatisfaction. 

Two programs played to script history this Monday. Over 2 decades-old Final Four droughts hung over both Texas and TSU. But Vic Schaefer’s top defense that has set sail the Longhorns all season was crucial in bringing TCU’s storybook season to an end. They forced 21 turnovers, committed just 8, and limited the Horned Frogs to 26.7% shooting to secure a 58-47 win. Per the Longhorns, it is all credits to Schaefer’s standard summer workouts. 

“We’ve been through everything … tired, on the ground, in the locker room, gassed out. But these are the moments that you work for,” Madison Booker, the highest scorer for the night revealed. Hailey Van Lith, on the other hand, is content with the destination they reached, taking in the calmness that settled after the buzzer had sounded. It was an eventful season. But the game was anything but that.

HVL wasn’t having the greatest of nights. It started out with a rare 10-second violation in the first quarter, which was followed by 2 turnovers and 3 missed shots. But she still found ways to contribute—grabbing a rebound, an assist, and a steal. Despite her struggles, TCU stayed in the fight. They trailed just 13-9 at the end of the quarter. Then the second quarter hit, and things got even worse. Van Lith turned the ball over twice in quick succession. By the halfway mark, she had already matched her season average of 2.9 turnovers per game.

If that wasn’t disappointing enough, mid-way through the game, accusations of favoritism flowed in. The whistles kept coming as Texas executed aggressive defense. But spectators weren’t buying into the calls. TCU, who entered as the underdogs, were claimed to be receiving favors from the refs.

Van Lith finished with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. But it came on an inefficient 3-of-15 shooting performance. The only area where she was truly given a fair shot? The free-throw line, where she went nearly perfect at 10-of-11. Clearly, that didn’t make things better among the Longhorn Nation.

How did Hailey Van Lith’s dream end in controversy?

The whistles were blowing, the fans were fuming, and in the end, Texas walked away victorious. As expected, the reactions came in fast. “Refs are calling everything for TCU,” one fan ranted. “Hailey Van Lith is worse than SGA at baiting fouls,” came a reply. And, if we’re being honest, the numbers did lean in Texas’ favor.

No doubt, the Longhorns were dominating. They shot 39.3% from the field compared to TCU’s brutal 26.7%. But a look at the number of foul calls tell you that number did not come at a coast: TCU’s 14 fouls to Texas’ 20.

“Everyone watching the TCU vs. Texas football game? It’s BB you f–ing retard refs,”* one user blasted, calling out what they saw as an overly physical game that the officials refused to control. But, despite having refs on TCU’s favour, the Horned Frogs had 21 turnovers which the Longhorns managed to convert to 17 points. Moreover, Schaefer’s team imposed their will down low, outscoring TCU 24-8 inside.

“These refs calling sympathy fouls for TCU against Texas,” another spectator pointed out.  Worse? This isn’t the first time when TCU and Van Lith are at the centre of the officiating storm.

In their previous game against Notre Dame, the whistle had spectators up in arms once again. According to some fans, there was “fishy” officiating in that matchup as well, with Notre Dame star Olivia Miles barely getting to the free-throw line despite relentless contact. She attempted just two free throws in 23 minutes, fueling speculation that the Horned Frogs were getting favorable calls.

But the difference between that game and this one? TCU escaped with a win against Notre Dame. Against Texas, they weren’t so lucky. “Are the refs in the Texas game ever going to call a foul on TCU?” another user asked, echoing concerns that had already been raised in TCU’s Sweet 16 victory.

“Refs GOTTA BE TCU fans! Because they are the only offense they have. Smh ,” another took a dig. TCU was held to just 12 field goals while their free throws alone totaled at 19! No. 1 Texas successfully fended off Van Lith and the Horned Frogs in a defensive grind. Now, it’s Texas’ first ticket to the Final Four since 2003.