(Photo/Gregg Ellman )
FORT WORTH, TX — TCU (11-10) continues to struggle as they have now lost three straight games. The Horned Frogs came up short to West Virginia (16-6) tonight 74-66.
TCU went head to head with West Virginia the majority of tonight’s game. The first half was back and forth for both teams. West Virginia was forcing the ball down low to the big man, Derek Culver and he was getting the job done. TCU wasn’t shooting well but they were playing scrappy to stay in the game.
TCU got down eight points midway through the first half and it looked like West Virginia was about to take off. But TCU’s scrappy play forced three turnovers in a row for the Mountaineers and TCU got back within two points.
The Horned Frogs went into the locker room down 37-31. They were forcing the three pointers and were not hitting many. At the half they shot 18 percent beyond the arc and got outrebounded 22-17.
TCU climbed their way back the first couple minutes into the second half getting as close as five points. The Mountaineers then hit back to back three pointers creating a 10 point lead and held that lead for the remainder of the game.
The Horned Frogs got outrebounded 45-32, Head Coach Jamie Dixon said there is no way to beat these types of caliber teams unless they out rebound them. They discussed it in practice and worked on it in practice and they did not get it done tonight.
RJ Nmebhard led the Horned Frogs with 17 points, four rebounds, and nine assists. This is Nembhard’s 18th straight game scoring in the double-figures. Kevin Samuel added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Tonight was Samuel’s 20th career double-double.
TCU’s offense looked more comfortable today and there was good spacing on the court. They shot 48 percent from the floor and got their three point shots up to 38 percent by the end of the game. Their defense is what needs to change. They need to start being more of a force in the paint and put a body on someone in order to win the rebound battle. If they want to beat the remaining teams on their schedule they will have to start boxing out and winning the boards.
TCU will be on the road this upcoming Saturday as they take on Iowa State at 5 p.m.
