TCU's men's basketball team faced a tough challenge against UCF, falling short in their bid to extend a three-game winning streak and bolster their NCAA tournament credentials.
UCF took charge early, jumping to a 9-2 lead within the first three minutes. TCU responded with an 8-2 run, narrowing the gap to just one point. However, that was as close as the Horned Frogs would get to overtaking the Golden Knights.
By halftime, UCF had built a commanding 14-point lead. TCU struggled with their shooting, hitting just 34.5% from the field and a mere 18.2% from beyond the arc. In contrast, UCF was on fire, shooting 57.7% overall and 50% from three-point range.
In the second half, TCU made a spirited push, going on a 9-0 run to bring the score to 65-55 with just over seven minutes remaining. But UCF responded decisively after the timeout, scoring on five of their next six possessions and extending their lead to 18 points, making it 77-59 with just over three minutes left.
The Horned Frogs couldn't close the gap, eventually succumbing to an 82-71 defeat. Micah Robinson led TCU with 20 points and added 9 rebounds in a valiant effort.
This loss was a missed opportunity for TCU to secure a crucial Quad 1 win, which would have strengthened their position in the NCAA tournament picture. According to Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology, TCU is among the last four teams projected to make the tournament, while UCF holds a more secure spot with a last-four bye.