Utah Shocks No. 8 TCU 87–77 in Overtime at Huntsman Center
Jan 3, 2026, 9:30 PM | Updated: 9:35 pm
Lani White, Utah women's basketball secured the upset win over No. 8 TCU. Photo courtesy by Utah Athletics
SALT LAKE CITY — The underdog Utes went got a big win Saturday night. Utah knocked off No. 8 TCU 87-77 in overtime, handing the Horned Frogs their first loss of the season and stamping one of the most eye-opening wins in program memory.
This wasn’t a buzzer-beater fluke — Utah fought through a gauntlet of elite scoring, held serve down the stretch, and executed under pressure to take down one of women’s basketball’s best.
How It Unfolded
TCU (14-0, 2-0 Big 12) grabbed an early edge and led through much of the first half. Olivia Miles — the Frogs’ do-it-all maestro — piled up points and assists, keeping TCU in front as Utah chipped away.
But this Utah squad didn’t quit. They clawed back in the third quarter and forced a tie late. Then, in the fourth quarter they made a run and built a small lead. Down the stretch, Utah had a five point lead, but TCU came back to regain a three-point lead in the final minute.
Then, Lani White knocked down a three-pointer to tie it up and send the game to overtime.
In overtime, Utah’s defense stiffened and their role players stepped up. A couple big stops and timely buckets flipped the momentum and the scoreboard. By the final whistle, Utah had stunned a nation watching and proved they belong in the conversation with the elite.
Key Performers
- Lani White (Utah) — 25 points on efficient looks and huge late free throws, including clutch buckets in overtime.
- Reese Ross – 15 points, 6 rebounds, and secured key rebounds and loose balls.
- Olivia Miles (TCU) — 31 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds — Miles carried the Frogs offensively and kept TCU in position to win right to the end.
- Marte Suarez (TCU) — 23 points, 11 rebounds — controlled the glass, but couldn’t stem Utah’s late surge.
- Evelina Otto (Utah) — Impactful boards and key free throws in OT, anchoring Utah in crunch time.
Why This Matters
This win is more than just a W. It’s a statement:
- Utah just beat an unbeaten Top 10 team at home. That’s the résumé-boost win every NCAA Tournament profile needs.
- It flips the script on the Big 12 pecking order — this Utah squad is no longer an “also-ran.”
- Confidence converter: beating a team like TCU in OT changes how this roster sees itself.
Stat Snapshot
- Utah shot the lights out from deep — 13-of-23 for 63% from three.
- TCU was held below its usual offensive efficiency, especially from long range.
- Utah won the rebound battle (+4) — that extra possession count matters in crunch time.
Looking Ahead
Utah (10-4, 1-1) suddenly has swagger. TCU will regroup — but Utah fans just got a season’s worth of energy in one night.
