The TCU Horned Frogs faced off against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals, eager to avenge their January loss where they squandered a 16-point lead. This matchup, however, unfolded with a fresh narrative but a familiar outcome, as TCU fell to Kansas 78-73 in a game characterized by momentum swings rather than constant lead changes.
Kansas set the tone early with a 9-0 start, leaving TCU scrambling until Xavier Edmonds finally got them on the board with a three-pointer at the 14:29 mark. The Horned Frogs quickly found their rhythm, responding with a 9-2 run to snatch a 12-11 lead. The back-and-forth continued as Kansas briefly reclaimed the advantage, only for TCU to surge ahead with an 8-0 run.
The first half was a tug-of-war, with TCU holding a slim 34-31 lead at halftime after a late push. Kansas came out firing in the second half, launching an 8-0 run that was halted by a David Punch hook shot, sparking a 10-2 TCU run. Yet, Kansas was quick to counter, crafting a 10-1 run to regain the lead.
As the clock ticked down, both teams found themselves frequently at the charity stripe, thanks to a tightly officiated game. Kansas capitalized on this, especially in the final minutes, where their steady free-throw shooting proved decisive.
Despite TCU's efforts, including a late push led by David Punch’s 24 points, turnovers plagued the Horned Frogs. They committed 11 second-half turnovers, allowing Kansas to extend their lead. Darryn Peterson was pivotal for the Jayhawks, scoring 24 points with 13 from the free-throw line, while Flory Bidunga added a double-double.
Kansas' ability to convert 30 of their 37 free-throw attempts was a game-changer, especially given their shooting struggles from the field and beyond the arc. TCU shot slightly better from the field and three-point range but couldn’t overcome their mistakes.
The Jayhawks’ victory propelled them into the Big 12 semifinals, while TCU was handed their first loss since mid-February. Despite the defeat, the Horned Frogs showed resilience and skill, setting the stage for future battles.