The TCU Horned Frogs stepped onto the court Friday night to face the formidable No. 3 Notre Dame, and what unfolded was nothing short of a thrilling showdown. Despite being ranked No. 17, the Frogs defied expectations, edging out Notre Dame with a hard-fought 76-68 victory. The spotlight, however, belonged to Hailey Van Lith, who delivered a standout performance for TCU.

With her impressive scoring leading the charge, Van Lith became the undisputed star of the night, guiding her team to an unforgettable upset.

Hailey Van Lith’s electrifying performance against Notre Dame

The No. 10 guard dropped 21 points—the highest for the Horned Frogs in the game—while also showcasing her versatility with 7 assists and 4 rebounds. This marked her third 20+ point game since transferring to TCU this season, proving she’s more than just a scorer — a playmaker and a leader on the court. Adding to her efficiency, she converted over 50% of her attempts by sinking 8 of 15 shots. While she failed to drain a single three, she had 5 successful free throws from 9 attempts.

What made Hailey Van Lith’s performance even more impressive was the pressure she faced against Notre Dame’s rock-solid defense. The Fighting Irish forced the Horned Frogs into 16 turnovers, a clear sign of their defensive prowess. Yet, Van Lith stood out by keeping her composure. Despite logging the most minutes on the court, she committed just a single turnover.

Joining her in helping the Frigs to the win were Sedona Prince and Madison Conner, who put up 20 and 18 points, respectively. Though Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo soared with 27 points, it wouldn’t prove enough against the Frog’s team performance. Despite their 72 field goal attempts, 9 more than the HVL-led team, they could manage only 25 to their opponents’ 28.

The Fighting Irish dominated throughout the game, never letting go off the lead. But thanks to Van Lith’s 9-point performance in the 4th quarter, the Frogs not only closed the gap, but also snatched the lead near four minutes remaining in the game. Assisted by HVL, Agnes Emma-Nnopu made a Three-Point Jumper, helped the team 63-61, and they never looked back. 

Currently averaging 19.4 points per game, Van Lith sits as the team’s second-leading scorer, and with performances like this, she’s quickly becoming a key figure in the Frogs’ success. Over just seven games with the Big 12 squad, she’s already racked up an impressive 136 points. This season marks Van Lith’s fifth in college basketball and her third stop in an eventful career.

She began her college career with the Louisville Cardinals, where she spent three seasons showcasing her talent. Last year, she made the move to the LSU Tigers, adding another chapter to her impressive resume. Then, in April, Van Lith grabbed headlines once again, announcing her decision to join the TCU Horned Frogs—a move that’s already proving to be a game-changer.

Hailey Van Lith: The catalyst TCU needs to reclaim its basketball legacy

Since her arrival, the 23-year-old guard has quickly become a cornerstone of TCU’s lineup, earning high praise from head coach Mark Campbell. “Haley is one of the most mature, hardworking, college athletes that I’ve ever been around. To watch her do her three a day, our players got a glimpse of what makes Hailey so special, and what makes Haley tick. Her preparation is second to none,” Campbell told earlier this month.

For Hailey Van Lith, her time at TCU is shaping up to be a transformative chapter in her basketball career. Reflecting on her evolution as a player, Van Lith shared her thoughts last week after delivering a stellar 27-point performance against Idaho State. “I’m really kind of transforming into a new player. Before I was like ‘Hailey would score and get buckets’ and now I’m the playmaker. [Now] I’m trying to play ‘how you want it’ basketball. I’m enjoying it and it’s gonna get even better,” Van Lith told media.

When Van Lith joined TCU, she stepped into a program eager to reclaim its former glory. The Horned Frogs haven’t made it to the NCAA tournament since 2010, a far cry from their heyday when they were one of women’s college basketball’s most consistent contenders. Between 2001 and 2010, TCU danced their way to the tournament nine times in 10 seasons. Yet, the Sweet 16 remains uncharted territory for the program.

Now, with the 23-year-old senior leading the charge, the question looms: Can her presence be the spark that reignites TCU’s success? Her skill set, leadership, and determination could very well push the Horned Frogs back into national prominence, potentially even boosting their AP rankings along the way. Their next test comes on Saturday night when they face South Florida.