The TCU Horned Frogs improved to 2–1 on the season after defeating the Lamar Cardinals 78–65, but it wasn’t an easy victory by any means.
TCU raced out to a 13–2 advantage, starting 5-for-5 from the floor,
including three three-pointers. Although the contest initially had the makings of a blowout, the Cardinals quickly rallied to take a 16–15 lead with just over 12 minutes remaining in the first half. Lamar held a narrow advantage for most of the period, with the Horned Frogs reclaiming the lead only twice—once on a Brock Harding triple around the two-minute mark, and again on a pair of Micah Robinson free throws in the final seconds. Robinson’s free throws ultimately sent TCU into halftime up 39–38.
The second half mirrored the final 10 minutes of the first, with the Cardinals maintaining a slim lead behind Rob Lee Jr. while TCU struggled to find its rhythm. After falling behind by two points with just over 17 minutes remaining, it took the Frogs nearly seven minutes to reclaim the lead at 56–55. A Jayden Pierre layup put TCU back on top—an advantage the Frogs never relinquished.
Over the next three minutes, the Horned Frogs built an eight-point lead, stifling Lamar on defense and finding quality looks on the offensive end. With the Cardinals still hanging around, five straight points, capped by a Jayden Pierre fast-break slam, gave TCU its first double-digit lead since early in the game.
The Horned Frogs held off a late comeback effort from the Cardinals to secure the 13-point victory. Rob Lee Jr. led Lamar with 26 points, while he and reserve Jayden Barrs were the only Cardinals to reach double figures.
TCU featured a balanced attack, with five players scoring in double figures, led by Pierre’s 18. David Punch, Jace Posey, and Xavier Edmonds each added 12, while Robinson chipped in 11. The quartet has scored 10 or more points in every appearance so far this season. Brock Harding contributed eight points and a team-high seven assists.
The Horned Frogs shot 50.9 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point range. They also outrebounded Lamar and tallied 18 fast-break points in the win.
Up next, TCU hosts the sixth-ranked Michigan Wolverines on Friday, November 14, at 8:00 p.m. CT.
