(Photo/Gregg Ellman )
FORT WORTH, TX — TCU (7-2) beats North Dakota State (2-6) in a close 89-82 win on Tuesday night.
TCU was shooting consistently early on. Mike Miles scored a season-high 26 points. He shot 11-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-7 beyond the arc. Miles has scored in the double-figures in five consecutive games and in seven of nine games overall this season. The Horned Frogs shot 62 percent from the floor creating a 17 point lead in the first quarter.
The Horned Frogs defense was lacking in the second quarter. They were not defending the 3-point line giving North Dakota State the opportunity to shoot beyond the arc. The Bison were knocking down the 3-pointers, shooting 56 percent from beyond the arc. NDSU went on a 24-8 run shortening the lead to four late in the second quarter.
TCU went into the locker room up 49-45.
Coming into the third quarter it was a back and forth battle. Both teams were shooting well from the floor. TCU shot 58 percent from the floor and NDSU shot 48 percent from the floor. The Horned Frogs offense never let up. They shot consistently the entire game and had great ball movement giving multiple players scoring opportunities.
Late in the third quarter, TCU’s defense was stagnant. The Horned Frogs got outrebounded 34-29, giving the Bison second chance opportunities to score making this a one possession game for most of the third quarter.
The last five minutes of the game was dominated by the TCU defense. They stepped it up and outrebounded NDSU the last three minutes of play solidifying the win.
Head Coach Jamie Dixon said that his team needs to defend better and rebound better. He said they got outworked under the basket and they need to work on that for their next matchup.
TCU will return to Schollmaier Arena on Wednesday, December 30 to take on Texas Southern at 7 p.m.
TCU’s key players
Mike Miles had 26 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists.
RJ Nembhard had 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.
Kevin Samuel had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists.
