The TCU Horned Frogs took the stage on Sunday, but it was a performance that most would rather forget. TCU was defeated 87-61 in Boulder by the Colorado Buffaloes, 12-9. The loss marked the Frogs’ second double-digit loss of the season and the first time they trailed by more than 20 points.
Just about everything went wrong for TCU. The Frogs showed energy early, but it quickly dissipated. Colorado led 8-7 with 16:40 left in the first half and never relinquished control. TCU managed to keep the offense within reach for several minutes before going on a nearly eight-minute scoring drought from 9:09 to 1:46 that left the Frogs trailing by 13 points. Xavier Edmonds hit two free throws to cut the deficit to 11 points, but Colorado answered with four of the final six points to take a 13-point lead into halftime.
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At the start of the second half, Edmunds did his best to spark a counterattack and notched his fourth consecutive double-double early in the first half. The momentum was short-lived, however, as TCU struggled to contain Colorado’s offense. The Buffaloes quickly extended their lead to 15 points and continued to widen the gap, closing the gap to 20 points for the first time at 14 minutes and 11 seconds.
Soon thereafter, the situation worsened. While fighting for a rebound, Edmonds and Sebastian Rancic got tangled up, and Edmonds was called for a flagrant second foul for flailing his elbow, resulting in his ejection from the game.
With Edmonds out, Buffalo quickly built an insurmountable lead, extending it to 26 points at 10:49. The Frogs were unable to handle Colorado’s speed and offensive pressure, and Buffalo continued to score at will. Jamie Dixon turned to the substitutes with just over five minutes remaining after the result was decided.
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While the second unit provided a brief spark, TCU’s offense still struggled, scoring just 10 points in the final five minutes to Colorado’s 11. Buffalo won handily, 87-61, snapping a six-game losing streak and notching its second-largest win of the season.
Only one Horned Frog reached double figures, Edmunds finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. David Punch and Jayden Pierre struggled for TCU, combining for 13 points on 5-for-19 shooting.
Colorado had a balanced offensive performance, with five players scoring in double figures. Rancic led the game with 17 points in his first game off the bench this season. Star freshman Isaiah Johnson scored 16 points, Bangot Dak scored 14 points, Josiah Sanders scored 12 points and Barrington Hargress scored 10 points.
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TCU shot just 33.0% from the field and 21.7% from beyond the arc, with only 8 of its 21 field goals coming from assists. Colorado, meanwhile, shot 55.5% from the field, 47.8% from three-point range, had 24 assists on 35 field goals, and effectively moved the ball.
Next up, TCU will take on the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday, February 7 at 1:00 pm CT.
