(Photo/ Gregg Ellman)
FORT WORTH, TX – TCU (4-1) lost their first game of the season, falling to Oklahoma (2-0) 82-78 on Sunday afternoon.
It was a back and forth battle all night. TCU led for the first 18 minutes in the first half. The Horned Frogs shot 51 percent from the field in the first two quarters. However, TCU struggled beyond the arc. They shot 35 percent from the three point land. Midway in the second quarter, TCU’s offense was a little stagnant. The Horned Frogs could not convert on offense leaving Kevin Samuel to pick up the pieces. He had 4 rebounds in the first half. The Horned Frogs outrebounded the Sooners 18-12 in the first half. Second chance opportunities led TCU into the half up by three.
At the start of the second half, it was a back and forth game for both teams. PJ Fuller gets a technical foul with 17 minutes left in regulation bringing him to a total of three fouls. In foul trouble, he went to the bench for the next seven minutes. Fuller not being on the floor hurt the Horned Frogs offense. He was creating shots off the dribble, penetrating the paint and knocking down the three. After sitting out a big chunk in the second half, Fuller still managed to score in the double figures tonight with 15 points.
With Fuller on the bench, freshman guard Mike Miles took control of the offense. He had a career high 21 points. With the help of Miles and Nembhard, TCU came back from an eight point deficit. Thanks to a three pointer from Miles and Nembhard’s back-to-back three pointers to put TCU back up by 1.
It came down to the final seconds of this game. TCU sent the Sooners to the free throw line and they were not missing. Oklahoma was 20 of 24 tonight on free throws shooting 84 percent. Oklahoma guard Austin Reaves brought this win home for the Sooners. He had 32 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists on the night. Brady Manek had 14 points and De’Vion Harmon had 13 points.
Head coach Jamie Dixon said, “We just need to play better defense.” TCU struggled on defense and gave up 82 total points to Oklahoma. The Horned Frogs need to communicate better and lock down key shooters if they want to have a successful season.
TCU will be back at home this upcoming Wednesday afternoon to take on Providence. The game will be Wednesday, December 9th at 4:00 p.m.
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