In a thrilling matchup at the USLBM Coast-to-Coast Challenge, Vanderbilt emerged victorious against TCU with a final score of 83-76 on Sunday. Jason Edwards was the standout performer for Vanderbilt, contributing 30 points off the bench to help secure the win.

The game saw both teams trading leads early on, with neither side able to gain a significant upper hand as they exchanged blows throughout the first half. A pivotal moment came when Vanderbilt unleashed a 9-0 scoring run driven by reserves Jaylen Carey and Tyler Tanner, which pushed them ahead 68-58 with just over five minutes left on the clock. As TCU sought to close the distance, Micah Robinson knocked down a crucial three-pointer. Noah Reynolds followed suit, bringing the Horned Frogs within four points, and moments later, Frankie Collins converted a three-point play to reduce the deficit to 75-71 with only 50 seconds remaining.

Edwards then added two free throws, extending Vanderbilt’s lead to six points. TCU’s Collins struggled with a missed attempt in the paint, and the Commodores successfully sealed the game from the free-throw line. Edwards shot an impressive 8 of 16 from the field and was nearly perfect at the line, hitting 13 of 14 attempts. This victory improved Vanderbilt’s record to 9-1 under the guidance of first-year head coach Mark Byington, with Devin McGlockton contributing 10 points to the effort.

For TCU, four players finished with 11 points each: Ernest Udeh Jr., Trazarien White, David Punch, and Brendan Wenzel. The Horned Frogs opened the game strong with an early 8-2 lead; however, they struggled to maintain their momentum as the first half progressed. Neither team distanced themselves by more than four points, and Vanderbilt only held the lead for a fleeting 57 seconds. Nonetheless, a last-second three-pointer from Tyler Nickel gave them a narrow 41-38 advantage going into halftime, with Edwards leading all scorers at that point with 17 points.

The Coast-to-Coast Challenge took place at Dickies Arena, which is officially designated as a neutral venue despite TCU’s favorable record of 4-2 there. Clouded by competitive spirit, the contest showcased the talents of both teams in what promises to be an exciting season ahead.