FORT WORTH — A furious late rally wasn’t enough to save TCU on opening night. The Horned Frogs erased nearly all of a 21-point deficit but fell 78–74 to New Orleans on Monday at Schollmaier Arena.
Down 68–47 with just over seven minutes left, TCU stormed back with a 20–2 run to pull within two at 72–70. After a Brock Harding jumper cut it to 74–72, the Frogs had two chances to take the lead, but missed threes from Jayden Pierre and Tanner Toolson sealed their fate.
David Punch led TCU with a career-best 19 points and eight rebounds. Micah Robinson added 14 off the bench, while Pierre and Xavier Edmonds each scored 11.
Cold shooting hurt the Frogs all night — just 38.8% from the floor and 11.1% from deep — while the Privateers shot 49.1% and won the boards 38–28 behind Coleton Benson’s 22 points.
The loss snapped TCU’s 11-game home opener streak and 19 straight nonconference home wins.
The Frogs (0–1) return to action Thursday at 7 p.m. against Saint Francis on TNT.
