Photo Courtesy: Hall of Fame Classic
KANSAS CITY, MO – RJ Nembhard led TCU (3-0) in the 56-52 victory over Liberty (2-2) in the championship at the Hall of Fame Classic Sunday night. The game started off slow as both teams were not shooting well. TCU shot under 36 percent in the first 14 minutes of the game.
Liberty came into the game having made 41 3-pointers in the last three games. Playing for the 4th time in five days they could not find a rhythm. They were 6 of 28 from the arc.Darius McGhee led the Flames with 15 points and Chris Parker had 13.
At the end of the first half Liberty had made three of the last four shots to trim TCU’s lead down to 27-26 at half. The battle continued in the second half. Liberty came out and took their first lead of the game going up 33-32 on the Horned Frogs.
TCU then responded and went on a 13-3 run bringing their lead back up by nine. TCU led 44-36 but Liberty was not giving up. The flames went on a 7-0 run with two minutes left in the game bringing them within two points 54-52. Nembhard’s two clutch free throws sealed the win for TCU.
Nembhard led with 14 points and 6 rebounds on the night. He was lights out at the line shooting eight for nine. The Horned Frogs ability to make free throws down the stretch helped them clinch this win. TCU shot 75 percent from the line.
The Horned Frogs continue to have many players contribute on the offense end. Francisco Farabello, Taryn Todd, and Kevin Samual all contributed eight points.
Kevin Samuel was named MVP of the tournament due to his phenomenal performance in the semi-finals against Tulsa where he tied his career high 18 rebounds and 16 points.
Samuel and Nembhard were joined on the all-tournament team.
The undefeated Horned Frogs are 3-0 on the season going into their game vs Northwestern State on Wednesday night. TCU will play at 7 p.m. CST.
