TCU Secures Victory Over West Virginia
In a thrilling contest in Fort Worth, Texas, TCU overcame a sluggish second-half performance to secure a 60-54 victory over West Virginia on Saturday. Xavier Edmonds played a pivotal role in the win, contributing 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, marking his third consecutive double-double and eighth in the past nine matches. This performance has elevated his averages to 12.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the season.
Second Half Struggles and Comeback
Despite a rough start to the second half, where the Horned Frogs misfired on eight of their first nine shots, TCU managed to regroup after being down 49-43 with just eight minutes remaining in the game. It was David Punch who ignited the comeback, sinking a crucial jumper that narrowed the gap. Alongside Punch, Brock Harding added his own two layups, helping TCU surge ahead to a 56-52 advantage with just 1:36 left on the clock.
West Virginia’s Offensive Struggles
West Virginia struggled offensively down the stretch, managing only two points in the final four minutes, while finishing the game with a dismal 1-for-6 shooting performance. The Mountaineers were held to 41% shooting overall, whereas TCU only shot 34% but made crucial free throws to close out the game.
Key Contributions and Upcoming Matches
For TCU (17-10, 7-7 Big 12), strong support came from their bench, with Liutauras Lelevicius contributing 14 points, while Punch and Harding added 12 and 11 points respectively. For West Virginia (16-11, 7-7), Honor Huff was the leading scorer with 13 points, and Brenen Lorient chipped in with 10.
The Horned Frogs, despite an unsteady start that saw them trailing 9-4 early on, managed to take control by halftime with a 30-25 lead after a late first-half surge capped by Lelevicius’ three 3-pointers. With the victory, TCU improved their home record to 12-5.
Looking ahead, TCU will prepare to face Arizona State on Tuesday, while West Virginia will travel to Oklahoma State for their next matchup.
