Men’s Basketball: TCU smothered by Houston in a 65-46 defeat

Three Horned Frogs combined to score 39 of 46 points.

On Monday, the TCU Horned Frogs suffered their second defeat in conference play against the 12th-ranked Houston Cougars. TCU mustered a season-low 46 points against the nation’s best defense. Houston forced 18 TCU turnovers and held the Horned Frogs to a 42.6 percent conversion rate from the floor. The Cougars shot 48.1 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from deep, scoring 65 points in the victory.

Despite the sizable margin, the Horned Frogs played better than the score would suggest. The Cougars connected on all six field goal attempts to open the contest, including three triples. TCU fought from an early 15-4 deficit to cut Houston’s lead to seven at halftime. After scoring only seven points in the first 10 minutes of action, the Horned Frogs rattled off 15 in the latter part of the first half to get within striking distance of the Cougars.

Turnovers marred the Horned Frogs’ first half efforts. If not for Noah Reynolds’ 11 points at the half, TCU would have faced an insurmountable deficit. The 6-foot-3 guard went coast-to-coast in less than five seconds to reach double-digits for his fourth consecutive contest and give the Frogs’ hope entering the second half.

The Horned Frogs started hot to begin the second half, scoring four, quick points and cutting the Cougars’ lead to only three. The three-point deficit was the Cougars’ lowest of the half. Houston, led by Emanuel Sharp, began pouring on the points. The junior guard knocked down a jumper before a three-pointer to build Houston’s lead to 10 less than two minutes after the Horned Frogs’ come back.

Behind excellent point-of-attack defense and sound decision-making, Houston took control over the next 15 minutes of action. Houston forced eight second-half turnovers while only ceding three. From the 16-minute to the 12-minute mark, the Cougars built a now, insurmountable 17-point lead. TCU cut Houston’s lead to 12 at one point, but the Cougars relentless defense and sound offense prevailed. The Cougars went on to secure their seventh-straight victory.

Reynolds led the way with 19 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Vasean Allette and Trazarien White chipped in 11 and 9, respectively. TCU managed only four assists on 20 field goals and attempted a meager seven free throws. The frenetic Houston defense smothered the Horned Frogs offense. Aside from Reynolds, Allette, and White, the rest of the Frogs combined to score seven points. Houston was led by Sharp, who dropped 14 points and connected on four threes. J’Wan Roberts followed up Sharp, scoring 12 points and adding four boards and three assists. Baylor transfer L.J. Cryer also scored in double-digits, contributing 10 on the evening.

TCU will host the 10-4 BYU Cougars on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. CT. Like the Horned Frogs, BYU is 1-2 in conference play with a loss to Houston. The Horned Frogs’ contest against the Cougars is the first of two at home.