(Photo: Stephen Spillman)
AUSTIN, TX — TCU’s (11-8) win streak ends at two after a 70-55 loss to No. 13 Texas (13-5). The Horned Frogs were worn down by the tough Texas defense and their efficient scoring on offense.
The Horned Frogs started the game off with great intensity and went head to head with Texas in the first 10 minutes of the game. TCU’s offense was led by RJ Nembhard and PJ Fuller the entire first half, they combined for 18 points in the first 20 minutes. Mike Miles was held to only one basket in the first half.
TCU’s defense was present within the first 20 minutes of play. The Horned Frogs were neck and neck with Texas until the 3.5 minutes left in the half. Texas built some momentum on offense and TCU’s defense started to fall apart, giving Texas a 13 point lead with 2.5 minutes left in the first half.
Texas did a great job shutting down Kevin Samuel down low, TCU got outrebounded 18-19 in the first half and Samuel was not a present force like TCU is used to.
The Horned Frogs went into the locker room down 37-29.
TCU kicked it into gear the first five minutes into the second half. Mike Miles hit the boost button and scored back-to-back buckets. TCU hit the first four of five baskets cutting the Longhorn’s lead to four. That was short lived as Texas rallied on offense creating a 10 point lead for the remainder of the game. Four Texas players scored in double-figures, combining for 58 points.
Nembhard finished with 15 points on the night and Miles added 10. Texas shut down Samuel in the paint leaving him to only three points and three rebounds on the night. TCU needs to find more depth in their offense if they want to start beating teams. Right now they depend heavily on Miles and Nembhard to produce all of TCU’s points and if they are not having a game the Horned Frogs are left with no answers.
TCU shot 36 percent from the floor and 33 percent from beyond the arc. They were outrebounded by the Longhorns 31-37 and had 15 turnovers.
TCU will return to Schollmaier Arena on Monday to take on Texas A&M at 8:00 p.m.
