NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—Junior Taylor Pierce contributed 23 points for Idaho, but could not overcome the TCU Horned Frogs in the championship game of the Warner Center Marriott Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday. TCU shot an uncharacteristic 11 3-pointers to down the Vandals, 86-76.

Idaho senior Geraldine McCorkell was named to the All-Tournament Team. She averaged 23.5 points, nine rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the tournament. She scored a season-high 25 points in Friday's win over CSUN. She recorded her first double-double of the season on Saturday, totaling 22 points and 12 rebounds.

How it Happened
TCU (5-1) scored the game's first basket but it was the Vandals that got off to the fast start. A pair of 3's from Mikayla Ferenz and Taylor Pierce helped Idaho to an 8-2 start in the first three minutes of play. McCorkell added a third 3, giving Idaho an 11-3 advantage with a little more than half the quarter to play. McCorkell scored 11 points in the opening quarter, helping Idaho to a 19-8 lead at the 4:51 mark.

The Horned Frogs turned the tables with a 13-0 run to take a 21-19 lead with two minutes left in the quarter. TCU outscored Idaho 17-3 in the final five minutes to close the period with 25-22 lead.

An early 3 by McCorkell got Idaho back to within three inside the first minute of the second, but that would be as close as Idaho would get the rest of the way. TCU shot 63.6 percent from the field and seemingly could not miss from 3, going 5-for-7 (71.4%) to outscore Idaho 22-14 in the quarter. A quick 5-0 spurt for the Vandals cut TCU's 16-point lead to 11, 47-36, at the half.

Idaho (2-3) continued to fight in the second half. Pierce scored 12 points in the third quarter to fuel Idaho's comeback attempt. McCorkell capped off an 8-0 run that cut the deficit down to four, 51-47, with 5:02 to play in the quarter. Idaho's defense stepped up after the half, holding TCU to 0-for-4 from 3 in the third. Pierce closed the quarter with a pair of free throws, keeping Idaho within 5, 64-59.

Jordan Moore pushed TCU's lead back up to 14 with just under five minutes to play. Ferenz answered with Idaho's next seven points, cutting the TCU advantage to 81-74. A late layup from McCorkell got Idaho within six with 41 seconds to play. TCU closed the game 4-for-4 from the FT line to take the tournament title.

Amy Okonkwo was named Tournament MVP. She scored 22 points to go with 11 rebounds. Toree Thompson was also an All-Tournament selection for TCU. She ended the night with 14 points.

Key Factor 
TCU matched its season-high with nine 3-pointers in the first half. The Horned Frogs entered the night, averaging 5.8 3's per game with a 31.2 shooting percentage. TCU caught fire with a 69.2 percent performance in the first half. The Horned Frogs cooled off to 52.4 percent to end the night (11-21), marking a season-high.

Idaho finished with 10's on the night. Idaho hit four early on to gain the 11-point lead but went 2-for-8 in the rest of the first half.

Quotes
Head coach Jon Newlee
On TCU's play
"I thought they played really well. The certainly shot it better than they have. I thought they were smart. They started pounding it down our throats. Joran Moore is a beast. The problem was they had two of them. It was a twin tower effect. We were extremely undersized. I thought we showed a lot of heart the way we battled in this game."

On Idaho's start
"I thought we attacked their pressure right from the start. I thought we did a great job of moving the basketball. Everyone was getting their looks. Geri started out extremely well. Taylor hit some shots early. We were really executing our offense. Defensively, we had some breakdowns."

On Taylor Pierce
"That was certainly the most free throws she has ever taken here. Without a doubt. She did a great job of attacking the rim and staying strong with the ball. I loved seeing that from her tonight."

Notes
Idaho has now hit a 3FG in 299 consecutive games…Pierce was a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line…both career-highs in makes and attempts…Idaho shot a season-high 93.3 percent from the free-throw line (14-15)…McCorkell's 12 rebounds marked a season-high…Idaho turned the ball over a season-low eight times.

Upcoming
Idaho is set to return home after playing its first five games on the road. The Vandals will have their home-opener on Dec. 1 against the University of Washington.