Ernest Udeh Jr. posted a double-double, Vasean Allette finished with a team-leading 14 points and short-handed TCU pulled away for a 58-49 victory over South Alabama on Monday night in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Horned Frogs (6-4) were playing their first game since losing leading scorer Frankie Collins for the season with a broken left foot. They were also without their top 3-point threat, Brendan Wenzel, who is shooting 45.7 percent from deep.
But Allette and Trazarien White, who scored 13 points, filled the scoring void enough, and Udeh provided an inside presence with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
South Alabama (7-4), which was playing for the second straight day as it defeated East Texas A&M 81-72 on Sunday, was led by Barry Dunning Jr.’s game-leading 17 points. Myles Corey finished with nine points for the Jaguars.
It was a sluggish night for both teams on the offensive end as TCU shot 38.2 percent from the field and South Alabama shot 33.3 percent. The 49 points were a season-low for the Jaguars.
TCU eventually took control in the second half. The Horned Frogs were trailing 42-41 with 11:15 left before they went on a 10-2 run over a seven-minute stretch to build a 51-44 lead.
That run featured a 3-pointer by Allette with 8:15 left — the only trey made by TCU in the second half — and was capped with a strong inside play by White. The senior forward got the ball inside and made a nice move to the basket for a layup while being fouled by South Alabama’s John Broom. White completed the three-point play for a 51-44 advantage with 4:03 left.
The Horned Frogs led by multiple possessions the rest of the way as they won their 18th straight home nonconference game. They also improved to 68-5 against nonconference opponents at home under coach Jamie Dixon.
Monday marked the first meeting between the programs on the hardwood.
–Field Level Media
