FORT WORTH, Texas — In a thrilling match-up, Noah Reynolds made a significant impact by scoring 16 points, including the final seven points for TCU, as the Horned Frogs triumphed over ninth-ranked Texas Tech with a close score of 69-66 on Tuesday night.
Reynolds secured the game with a turnaround jumper just 11.6 seconds before the end, marking the first field goal for TCU in over four minutes and placing them ahead 68-63. Texas Tech’s Chance McMillian followed up with a deep 3-pointer, attempting to bring his team back into the game.
With just four seconds remaining, Reynolds converted one of his free throws, leaving Texas Tech with an opportunity to tie the game. However, JT Toppin, who has recently been named the Associated Press national player of the week, had his three-point attempt blocked by David Punch, which was then collected by Reynolds.
Alongside Reynolds, Trazarien White also contributed 16 points to TCU’s victory, while Ernest Udeh Jr. added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Darrion Williams was the standout performer for Texas Tech, scoring 21 points. The Red Raiders had achieved nine wins in their last 10 games, a streak that propelled them into the top 10 rankings for the first time in three years. McMillian added 19 points, and Toppin recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, marking his fourth consecutive double-double.
In terms of standings, Texas Tech was unable to regain a share of second place in the Big 12, trailing No. 19 Arizona, which defeated Baylor the prior night. The Red Raiders continued to struggle in Fort Worth, having lost their last five visits to the city.
On the other hand, TCU is experiencing a resurgence, now riding a three-game winning streak and securing five victories in their last six outings throughout February.
A crucial moment in the game occurred when Reynolds hit two free throws with 4:05 remaining, bringing TCU ahead 64-63, which marked the sixth lead change in just four minutes of play. The Horned Frogs maintained their lead for the rest of the match.
A key statistic that stood out was TCU’s dominance on the boards, as they claimed 15 offensive rebounds that translated into 17 crucial second-chance points.
Looking ahead, Texas Tech is set to face West Virginia at home on Saturday, while TCU will travel to Cincinnati for their upcoming game.
