Men’s Basketball: Nelson Explodes For 30 Points As TCU Survives In Triple Overtime Against No. 15 Baylor

TCU grabs second-straight road victory in dramatic fashion

Ian Napetian | Jan 28, 2024

Men’s Basketball: Nelson Explodes For 30 Points As TCU Survives In Triple Overtime Against No. 15 Baylor /

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The TCU Horned Frogs pulled out a tremendous 105-103 victory in triple overtime over the No. 15 Baylor Bears in dramatic fashion.

It was TCU's first victory in triple overtime since defeating Texas State 108-99 on Nov. 24, 2009. Additionally, it was the first game between TCU (15-5, 4-3 Big 12) and Baylor (14-5, 3-3 Big 12) to be played in Foster Pavilion–Baylor's new home for its Men's and Women's Basketball programs.

Jan. 27, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Jameer Nelson Jr. (4) works on Baylor Bears guard Miro Little (1) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports / © Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

After a back-and-forth first half, the Frogs headed to the locker room trailing by 40-35. But a tremendous second-half performance forced the game into overtime.

The Bears led by as many as 10 points in the second half. In the final seven minutes of regulation, Chuck O'Bannon Jr. sank three triples, tying it at 76 and sending it to overtime. After not one, not two, but three periods of overtime, the Frogs came out on top for their second-consecutive conference road victory of the season.

Jan 27, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Jamie Dixon talks with his team during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 27, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs center Ernest Udeh Jr. (8) grabs the rebound against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 27, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs forward Chuck O'Bannon Jr. (5) reacts after a made three-point basket against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 27, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard Langston Love (13) is shut down by TCU Horned Frogs guard Jameer Nelson Jr. (4) and forward Chuck O'Bannon Jr. (5) during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 27, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; The TCU bench reacts after a three-point basket against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

O'Bannon was one of five Frogs to reach double-figures in scoring, including Jameer Nelson Jr. (30), Emanuel Miller (21), Micah Peavy (18), and Trevian Tennyson (15).

Nelson exploded for a season-high 30 points–26 of those came after halftime. Nelson's thirty-burger was also the first time a Horned Frog had reached 30 points since Mike Miles put up 33 against Baylor last season.

In 42 minutes, Nelson went 11-18 from the field, including 7-8 from the line and generating four steals. His 42 minutes were second to Miller's 53, in which the forward shot 50% from the field with five rebounds, two assists, and a block. It was Miller's second-straight game of 20 or more points.

It wasn't the prettiest win, but a win nonetheless–perhaps one of the greatest duels between these two schools since the rivalry began in 1910.

The Frogs improved to 15-5 and 4-3 in the Big 12. They will enjoy this victory and head back to Fort Worth in preparation for Texas Tech on Tuesday, Jan. 30. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. CST and is available for streaming on ESPN2.

TCU Women's Basketball: TCU Comes Up Short in Showdown in Lubbock

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Published Jan 28, 2024

IAN NAPETIAN

Ian Napetian is currently pursuing a double-major in Journalism and Sports Broadcasting at TCU. He is the creator and host the sports-talk radio show Riff Ram Review on 88.7 KTCU The Choice. He also hosts pregame and postgame shows for TCU Baseball and Women's Basketball on 88.7 The Choice. Additionally, he enjoys attending TCU sporting events with his friends.