Men's Basketball: TCU Defeats Hawai'i 65-51

With the win, the Frogs clinched third place in the Diamond Head Classic

Mele Kalikimaka!

The TCU men's basketball team (10-2) rolled to a 65-51 victory on Christmas Eve over theHawai'i Rainbow Warriors (8-4) to clinch the third place spot in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. The game was played in Hawai'i's home arena, Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.

In his first start of the season, TCU's Trey Tennyson scored 10 points to help the Frogs defeat Hawai'i in the Diamond Head Classic / X: @TCUBasketball

TCU's strong defense in the second half led to the Frogs' victory. Jameer Nelson Jr came off the bench for the first time this season to lead the Frogs with 13 points. Trey Tennyson, who earned his first start of the season, joined Nelson in double-figures with 10 points.

The Frogs held the Bows to just eight field goals made in the second half and a shooting percentage of 29.6 percent, the lowest by a TCU opponent in a half this season. Hawai'i's 51 points were also a season-low for a TCU opponent.

Tennyson got the Frogs on the board with a 3-point jumper in the game's first minute. TCU would then lead nearly the entire game. Hawai'i's only lead came at 10-9. After a basket by Micah Peavy 12 seconds later, TCU would never surrender the lead. TCU led 36-27 at the half and outscored Hawai'i 29-24 in the second half. 

TCU shot a season-best 60.0 percent (6-of-10) from 3-point range and held Hawai'i to 25.0 percent (7-of-28) from beyond-the-arc. Tennyson made two of his three attempts from three.

Game Leaders

Points

• TCU - Jameer Nelson Jr - 13 points
• Hawai'i - Noel Coleman - 19 points

Rebounds

• TCU - Xavier Cork- 8 rebounds (6 defensive; 2 offensive)
• Hawai'i -Jovon McClanahan - 5 rebounds (5 defensive; 0 offensive)

Assists

• TCU - Jameer Nelson Jr - 2 assists
• Hawai'i - Juan Munoz - 2 assists

Team Stats

Team Stats	TCU	Hawai'i
Field Goals	29-55 (45.5%)	18-54 (33.3%)
3-Pointers	6-10 (60.0%)	7-28 (25.0%)
Free Throws	9-14 (64.3%)	8-11 (72.7%)
Rebounds	37 (7 offensive/30 defensive)	35 (8 offensive/27 defensive)
Assists	9	8
Steals	6	5
Blocks	2	4
Turnovers	14	19
Largest Lead	17	1

Next up: TCU returns home to conclude non-conference play on Monday, January 1, against Texas A&M Commerce. The game is at 3 p.m. and can be seen on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Men's Basketball: TCU Loses To Nevada in The Diamond Head Classic Semifinals

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