Men’s Basketball: Horned Frogs’ offense struggles in 69-52 loss to Santa Clara

TCU shot 34.9 percent from the floor and 5.9 percent from beyond the arc.

The Horned Frogs started slow on Thanksgiving, going down 7-2 before a Frankie Collins free throw and later a layup cut the lead to two. Santa Clara didn’t slow down, scoring three straight buckets to build an eight-point lead. TCU’s super sub, Vasean Allette, entered the game and scored two tough layups to bring the Horned Frogs back within striking distance. Much of the first half was back-and-forth before the Broncos pulled after the 10-minute mark. Santa Clara converted on two three-pointers within two minutes, doubling TCU’s total for the game in a twentieth of the time. The Horned Frogs held the Broncos to 34 points for the final three minutes of the half, scoring six straight points to cut Santa Clara’s halftime lead to seven.

TCU began the second half the same way it ended the first, holding Santa Clara to 34 and converting on connective buckets, cutting the lead to two. The Broncos scored again before the Horned Frogs rallied back, taking the lead, 39-38, with over 15 minutes to go. After an abbreviated back-and-forth, the Broncos took control of the game.

10 seconds after going down 41-40, the Broncos tied the game and began the onslaught. Santa Clara decimated the Horned Frogs, going on a 17-1 run over the next eight minutes of action. The Broncos next eight of nine buckets were assisted on, furthering demonstrating Santa Clara’s second-half offensive clinic. Although TCU failed to make an impact on offense in the halfcourt, the Horned Frogs’ defense was equally susceptible to back-cuts, pick-and-rolls, and frequently lost shooters on and around the perimeter. The Horned Frogs succumbed to defeat in game one of the Acrisure Invitational 69-52.

The Horned Frogs made it close at several points throughout the game, but poor shooting ultimately doomed TCU. The Frogs converted on just 22-of-63 field goal attempts, failing to muster quality looks and far too often relying on well-defended jumpers and heavily contested layups. 38 of the Horned Frogs’ 52 points came from the paint. TCU connected on only one of 17 three-point attempts. TCU wasn’t much more successful from the charity stripe, knocking down 7-of-16 freebies. The Horned Frogs’ defense held up adequately, but the offense was putrid.

After scoring eight or more points and making at least two triples in TCU’s first five games, Brenden Wenzel was held scoreless in Palm Springs. The senior wing went 0-of-5 from the floor and 0-of-3 from downtown. Trazarien White, who had scored 14 or more in TCU’s last three games, put up only two points on a 1-of-7 effort from the floor. Arizona State transfer Frankie Collins led the way, scoring 15 points and grabbing three boards. Noah Reynolds was the only other Horned Frog to reach double-digits, chipping in 12 points on 6-of-14 shooting. The lack of quality looks was evident, as the Frogs recorded only six assists on 22 made baskets. Conversely, 19 of 29 field goals were assisted on by the Broncos.

Following the Thanksgiving Day loss, the Horned Frogs will play on Black Friday at 1:00 p.m. CT as part of the Acrisure Invitational.