FORT WORTH, TX — TCU (9-2) pulls out a close one against K-State (5-6) beating the Wildcats 67-60 on Saturday afternoon in Bramlage Coliseum.
The Horned Frogs offense really came together from last game, they shot 45 percent from the floor. RJ Nembhard was back in the lineup after suffering an injury that forced him to sit out in their last match up. Nembhard had six of TCU’s first 10 points early in the first half.
TCU’s offense came together and was hot from the floor. They were 9-of-12 from the floor and had K-State on their heels.
The shots continued to fall for TCU throughout the whole first half. They went up 29-11 on K-State early and was 13-of-17 from the floor with five minutes remaining in the half. TCU shot 61 percent from the floor in the first half.
TCU started to get comfortable with their 18 point lead and it showed on the other end of the court. Their defense became stagnant, letting the Wildcats offense get in a groove. K-State went on a 8-0 run with two minutes left in the half, dwindling TCU’s lead to 10.
The Horned Frogs went into the locker room up 36-26.
The start of the second half was dominated by the Wildcats. K-State went on a 5-0 run making it a 39-34 game. K-State’s offense started to get rolling and they hit three back-to-back three-pointers making it a one possession game midway through the second half.
TCU got into an offensive slump early in the second half, shooting 29 percent from the floor. With the help of Kevin Easley, Kevin Samuel, and Jaedon LeDee, they gave TCU multiple second chance opportunities. TCU kept a lead the whole second half. Easley, Samuel, and LeDee were cleaning up for the guards’ missed shots for most of the second half. They combined for 19 of TCU’s 40 rebounds. TCU out rebounded K-State 40-32.
With under two minutes left in regulation, TCU iced the game with a couple free throws. They went 18-of-22 from the line and shot 81 percent.
TCU pulled out a victory over K-State because of their ability to recreate second chance opportunities by hustling and out rebounding the Wildcat as well as hitting free throws down the stretch.
TCU will be back at home on Tuesday night where they will take on No. 3 Kansas at 9 p.m.
TCU Leaders:
Nembhard led the Horned Frogs with 21 points and 3 rebounds.
Easley had 12 points and 5 rebounds.
Miles had 11 points and 6 rebounds.
