FORT WORTH, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by a blistering start and a frantic, nail-biting finish, Texas Christian survived a monumental effort from Kansas star Jaliya Davis to escape with a 79-77 victory in a Big 12 Conference women’s basketball thriller Thursday night at Dickies Arena.

The Lady Frogs, now 20-2 overall and bolstering their position atop the conference, saw a once-commanding 18-point lead nearly evaporate in the final minutes before a series of clutch free throws and a final defensive stand sealed the win before an announced crowd of 2,613. Kansas fell to 13-9 with the heartbreaking loss, its fourth in conference play by four points or fewer.

The game’s decisive phase unfolded in a chaotic final 18 seconds. Trailing 77-75, Kansas’ S’Mya Nichols, who finished with 24 points, drained a deep 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining to give the Jayhawks a shocking 78-77 lead, sending the Kansas bench into a frenzy.

Texas Christian, however, had time for one final play. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Kansas’ Laia Conesa was called for a foul on TCU’s Veronica Sheffey, sending the Lady Frogs guard to the line for two shots with 0.9 seconds on the clock. Sheffey calmly sank the first to tie the game at 78. After a Kansas timeout intended to ice her, she converted the second to put TCU back ahead, 79-78.

Kansas had one last desperation chance. With 0.5 seconds left, TCU’s Clara Bielefeld was whistled for a foul on the inbounds play, sending Kansas’ Lilly Meister to the line for two shots and a chance to win or force overtime. Meister missed the first attempt. Following another timeout, her second shot also rimmed out. TCU’s Clara Silva secured the defensive rebound as time expired, preserving the dramatic victory.

The frantic ending was a stark contrast to the game’s opening act, which nearly decided the contest before it truly began. Texas Christian came out scorching from beyond the arc, hitting five 3-pointers in the first quarter alone. Led by Donovyn Hunter and Olivia Miles, the Lady Frogs raced to a 30-17 lead after one period, exploiting Kansas’ early turnovers and defensive miscues.

Kansas, however, refused to fold. The Jayhawks chipped away throughout the second and third quarters, primarily through the relentless interior play of Jaliya Davis. The 6-foot-2 forward from Overland Park, Kansas, was virtually unstoppable, scoring 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field, often through heavy contact. Her effort, combined with Nichols’ scoring, kept Kansas within striking distance despite TCU’s superior ball movement and perimeter shooting.

The statistical sheet highlighted the contrasting styles that made the game so compelling. Both teams shot an identical 28-for-56 from the field. The difference came from the 3-point line, where TCU built its early advantage by hitting 10 of 20 attempts compared to Kansas’ 2-of-12 struggle. The Lady Frogs also dished out eight assists to Kansas’ four and recorded eight steals.

Texas Christian’s balance proved crucial. While Davis and Nichols carried Kansas, TCU had four players in double figures. Olivia Miles orchestrated the offense with 20 points and six assists. Donovyn Hunter added 15 points, while Marta Suárez contributed 13 points and Clara Silva anchored the paint with nine points, three assists and a block.

Kansas won the battle on the glass, grabbing 10 offensive rebounds, and shot better from the free-throw line, making 19 of 24 attempts. But 15 turnovers, many in the first half, and the inability to contain TCU’s initial perimeter barrage created a deficit too large to completely overcome, despite the heroic late push.

The victory extends Texas Christian’s impressive season, while Kansas is left to ponder another close defeat in a season filled with them. The Jayhawks will look to rebound at home against Colorado on Sunday. Texas Christian, meanwhile, continues a tough conference slate with a road game at Texas Tech, also on Sunday.