FORT WORTH – Behind a strong defensive team effort and double-double from Ernest Udeh Jr., TCU defeated South Alabama, 58-49, Monday at Schollmaier Arena.
The Horned Frogs (6-4) held the Jaguars (7-4) to 33.3 percent shooting from the field, including 24 percent in the second half, which allowed TCU to pull away for its 18th-straight home nonconference win.
TCU was playing its first game without its leading scorer, Frankie Collins. It was announced Friday that he would miss the remainder of the season due to a broken left foot. The Frogs were also missing its top shooter in Brendan Wenzel, especially against the Jaguars’ zone defense.
USA went up by one-point, 42-41, with 11:15 to play, on a 3-pointer by Barry Dunning Jr., who led all players with 17 points. It was the Jaguars’ last points for nearly seven minutes. A 3-pointer by Vasean Allette gave TCU its largest lead at the time, 48-42, with 8:15 to play. The sophomore guard led the Frogs with 14 points.
TCU continued to build its lead through defense as USA made just one of its last 13 shot attempts from the field.
The TCU starting frontcourt dominated with 10 points and 11 rebounds from Udeh, who finished 5-of-6 from the field, and seven points and six rebounds from freshman David Punch. TCU outrebounded South Alabama, 40 to 30.
The Horned Frogs will complete their nonconference schedule with a game against Montana State on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Schollmaier Arena. The game will air on ESPN+.
TEAM NOTES
– TCU improved to 1-0 all-time against South Alabama.
– TCU won its 18th-straight home nonconference game.
– Jamie Dixon‘s record moved to 494-237 as a head coach.
– TCU moved to 68-5 against nonconference opponents at Schollmaier Arena under Dixon.
– TCU outshot South Alabama from the field, 38.2 percent to 33.3 percent. The Frogs improved to 5-1 this season and 138-30 under Dixon when outshooting their opponent.
– TCU won its first game this season (1-3) when shooting under 40 percent from the field.
– TCU outrebounded South Alabama 40 to 30. The Frogs improved to 4-0 this season and 133-43 under Dixon when outrebounding their opponent.
– TCU and South Alabama each had 12 turnovers. It was the first time this season TCU and its opponent had the same number of turnovers.
– South Alabama entered the game ranked 25th nationally with 15.7 fastbreak points per game but was held to eight on Monday.
– There were 13 ties and 15 lead changes.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
– Ernest Udeh Jr. recorded his third-straight game in double figure scoring with 10 points. His 11 rebounds gave him his second double-double this season and the third of his career.
– Udeh had three blocked shots. It was his third game this season with multiple blocks.
– Trazarien White scored his fourth-straight game in double figures with 13 points.
– White was 2-of-9 from 3-point range. It was his fourth-straight game with a made three.
– Vasean Allette finished with 10 points, the most he’s scored in eight games.
– Along with leading scorer Frankie Collins, who is out for the season, TCU was missing its top shooter, Brendan Wenzel, due to a left ankle injury.
