With new addition Robbie Avila sitting on the bench and getting plenty of TV exposure, TCU overcame a slow start and pulled away for a 76-64 victory over Milwaukee on Friday night in Fort Worth, Texas.
Xavier Edmonds finished with 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Frogs (4-0). DJ Thomas added 15 points, including going 9-for-9 from the free throw line, Brock Harding had 13 points and seven assists, and Micah Robinson contributed 12 points and seven rebounds for TCU.
Milwaukee (2-3) got off to a strong start, shooting 48.3% from the field in the first half, but couldn’t sustain it. Amare Hereford posted a team-high 18 points, including 12 in the first half, to go along with five assists and four rebounds. Danilo Jovanovich had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Nate Malosa finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
It was a back-and-forth battle in the first half with 12 lead changes and six ties. TCU pulled in front 34-29 with just over two minutes left after a 7-0 spurt, which started with a layup by Robinson and fast-break dunk by Thomas.
TCU didn’t surrender the lead after that, but Milwaukee stayed within striking distance.
In the second half, the Frogs extended their lead to 47-37 on a 3-pointer by Harding with 16:45 left, but the Panthers battled back to within 53-50 on a turnaround jumper by Hereford with 10:03 left.
The Frogs responded with a 10-2 run, extending their lead to 63-52 on a 3 by Gavin Sykes with six minutes left. TCU went on to lead by as many as 14 as it coasted to the finish.
The Frogs’ biggest advantage came in fast-break points, outscoring the Panthers 23-7, and second-chance points with a 20-7 edge. Both teams struggled from 3-point range on the night. TCU went 1-for-7 from deep in the first half and 4-for-19 for the game. Milwaukee finished 5-for-20 from long range.
–Field Level Media
