The TCU Horned Frogs' impressive run has hit a bump in the road. After a series of victories against Kansas State, Iowa State, and Oklahoma State that had fans buzzing about their tournament prospects, TCU stumbled with an 82-71 loss to UCF in Orlando.
UCF, eager to break their three-game losing streak, came out swinging. The Knights ignited the game with a 9-2 run, fueled by Jordan Burks scoring seven early points.
TCU quickly countered with an 8-2 burst, narrowing the gap to just one point. However, UCF wasn’t about to let their momentum slip.
They unleashed a 15-4 run, stretching the lead to 26-14 with just under nine minutes left in the first half.
TCU tried to claw back, but UCF's offense was on fire. Tanner Toolson’s two free throws brought the Frogs back within single digits around the seven-minute mark, but the offense sputtered after that. TCU only managed eight more points before the half, while UCF added 13, heading into the break with a solid 42-28 advantage.
Despite trailing by 14, the game felt within reach for TCU, especially considering their shooting woes at 34.5 percent compared to UCF’s scorching 57.7 percent.
Micah Robinson gave TCU life at the start of the second half, scoring four quick points to cut the deficit to 10. But UCF had answers for every TCU surge, maintaining their lead with steady play. Robinson’s efforts couldn’t spark a consistent offensive rhythm, and TCU’s struggles on defense kept them from closing the gap significantly.
UCF stretched their lead to 19 by the midway point of the second half. Even after TCU's nine-point run cut the lead back to 10, UCF kept pushing forward.
The Knights rebuilt their lead to 18 before TCU mounted one last effort. Trailing 75-57, the Frogs scored 12 of the next 14 points, narrowing the deficit to 10.
Yet, time was not on their side. Down 77-67 with just over a minute left, TCU couldn’t muster another comeback, and UCF sealed the 82-71 victory, bolstering their postseason credentials while leaving TCU in a tight spot as March looms.
TCU’s shooting woes were evident, hitting just 41.7 percent from the field and a mere 19.0 percent from beyond the arc. UCF, meanwhile, shot 49.1 percent overall and 40.0 percent from three-point range, and they were nearly perfect from the free-throw line, converting 18-of-20 attempts. TCU struggled at the stripe, going 17-of-27.
Jordan Burks was the standout for UCF, pouring in 26 points and sinking five three-pointers. Thelmus Fulks chipped in with 11 points and seven assists, while George Beale Jr. added 11 points off the bench.
For TCU, Micah Robinson led the charge with 20 points and nine rebounds. David Punch contributed 14 points, and Xavier Edmonds notched another double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.