TCU Men's Basketball Loses Wild Game to Cincinnati

The first Big 12 matchup between Cincinnati and TCU didn't disappoint. Missed free throws late, controversial calls, and nine lead changes led to an overtime loss for the Horned Frogs 81-77.

TCU got off to a blazing start, knocking down nine of its first ten shots and eventually getting out to a 29-18 lead. The Cats' perimeter defense was struggling, and Trevian Tennyson was making them pay. However, Cincinnati figured it out quickly and went on a 14-4 run at the end of the half. TCU was clinging to a 33-32 lead at the break. 

TCU Horned Frogs guard Trevian Tennyson (11) attempts a three-point basket against Cincinnati Bearcats guard Dan Skillings Jr. (0) in overtime at Fifth Third Arena / © Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

There were several times the Frogs got hold and cold. TCU had a nine-point lead and saw it wither away as the offense made one basket in the final five minutes. Part of that reason was the turnovers. A week ago, TCU had a season-low in turnovers, and last night, they gave it away a season-high 19 times. 

Despite their ability to knock down the three at an efficient rate, there were several times when the Cats' defense was swarming. John Newman III had a monster game, denying the ball and blowing up plays with his pestering defense. He and Day Day Thomas combined for five steals. Pair that with Aziz Bandango, who blocked two shots, but more importantly, his presence alone drifted TCU from the paint and forced perimeter looks. 

With 10 seconds left and the game tied at 67, Tennyson hoisted a three-pointer and missed, but as Dan Skillings came down with the rebound, he was fouled by Avery Anderson. In a stunning turn of events, Skillings missed both free throws, and Bandango got called for an over the back on Ernest Udeh Jr. He also had an opportunity to end the game but missed and sent it to overtime. 

Skillings had another shot to give Cincinnati the lead late in OT and succeeded, and after a Jakobe Coles missed three, the Cats sealed the game at the free throw line. 

Tennyson led all scorers with 17 points and knocked down five triples. Emanuel Miller had 15 points, three rebounds and five assists. Despite the late missed free throw, it was a solid game for Udeh, who had 11 points, six offensive rebounds, and five steals. 

This was a winnable game for the Frogs. They led for 37 minutes, but late-game execution cost them. A lot of credit goes to Cincinnati's defense in the second half, as they were disrupting passing lanes and playing physically. It goes to show how incredibly talented this conference is from top to bottom. No game is easy, and home-court advantage seems to play a serious factor in the Big 12. 

Lucky for the Frogs, they will be back home hosting No. 24 Iowa State this Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPNU. 

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