MBB: Texas Tech falls to No. 24 TCU in heart-breaking 83-82 loss

Almost two months ago, Tech lost its first Big 12 game of the season to TCU and began an eight-game losing streak. In the last two weeks, Tech found itself on a four-game winning streak that placed them firmly in contention for a spot in the NCAA tournament. A win in a rematch with TCU would have gone a long way to solidify their bid, but the Red Raiders came up just short.

Tech found itself down as much as 12 in the second half, but came back to take a late lead. The comeback effort was not enough as the Horned Frogs escaped with a one-point win. 

Here’s how it all went down, half-by-half. 

First half

The Red Raiders jumped out front early with a 5-0 run right out of the gate. Forward Kevin Obanor finished at the rim, and guard Jaylon Tyson banked in a three. 

The Horned Frogs’ Chuck O’Bannon and Emanuel Miller scored some quick baskets to put TCU on the board, but Red Raider guard Pop Isaacs responded with a three to give Tech an 8-4 lead.

Later in the half, Obanor accounted for four-straight Tech points to give the Red Raiders a 14-9 lead, but TCU responded by going on a 9-4 run to tie the game at 18.

With the game tied, TCU star guard Mike Miles converted a four-point play. The play started a 13-4 run that put the Horned Frogs up 31-22.

Down 42-31 later in the half, Tech center Fardaws Aimaq made two free throws before freshman Elijah Fisher finished at the rim. The scoring burst cut TCU’s lead to just seven, but Mike Miles scored before the buzzer to give the Horned Frogs a 44-35 halftime lead. 

Second half

Much like the first half, Tech opened up with a 5-0 run. Aimaq sank a couple free throws, and guard De’Vion Harmon converted a three-point play. The quick offense brought the Red Raiders within four. 

TCU responded by going on a 7-2 run that included five points from Chuck O’Bannon. Emanuel Miller finished a layup on a backdoor cut, something the Red Raiders struggled to defend all game. The run gave the Horned Frogs a 51-42 lead. 

The Red Raiders drew back within one after going on a 12-4 run midway through the second half. The run included six straight points from Harmon who would finish with 18 points on the day. 

After another offensive flurry from TCU gave the Horned Frogs a 74-62 lead with just under eight minutes to play, Elijah Fisher kept Tech in the game by hitting a three. Tech’s next basket was a contested Kevin Obanor three that cut the deficit to six. 

With under four minutes to play, Obanor hit another three to bring Tech within two. TCU’s Damion Baugh traded layups with De’Vion Harmon and momentarily kept the Red Raiders at bay, but Jaylon Tyson drilled a wide open three to give Tech an 80-79 lead. 

Mike Miles gave TCU the lead back on a backdoor cut that led to a dunk, but Harmon drove to the rim on the next possession and took the lead right back by finishing a tough layup. 

In the game’s final seconds, TCU’s Jakobe Coles drew a controversial foul call that sent him to the free throw line. Cole sank both free throws and gave TCU an 83-82 lead. With a timeout remaining, Tech head coach Mark Adams opted not to use it and De’Vion Harmon missed a last-second heave as the clock expired. TCU escaped with a one-point victory.

Comments from Adams

Mark Adams said he opted not to use the timeout because he felt the offense had a better chance to score on a designed play, but in retrospect he wishes he had called it.

“We worked on that play quite a bit, and we thought we had a better chance of being organized since we knew what we were going to do,” Adams said. “I told the guys sorry and looking back I wish I had called timeout.

Adams said the team must continue to move forward, even after an emotional loss.

“We just have to control what we can control and keep moving forward, try to keep getting better and win another game.”

Up next

The Red Raiders will have a quick turnaround and a difficult challenge as they get set to play No. 3 Kansas on the road. The game will be on Tuesday at 8 p.m.