The Frogs battled Houston tough, but execution faltered as Edmonds stood out with a double-double despite the close loss.
TCU entered the night with momentum and a packed home arena, hoping to add a statement win to its Big 12 resume. Instead, the Horned Frogs found themselves chasing the game for long stretches, eventually dropping a hard-fought 79-70 decision to Houston in a matchup that turned on execution and efficiency.
The early minutes hinted at a back-and-forth battle, but Houston’s ability to respond to every TCU surge made the difference.
After briefly grabbing the lead, the Frogs watched the Cougars regain control and slowly create separation behind timely three-point shooting and disciplined offensive possessions. Each time TCU threatened to flip the script, Houston answered with poise.
By halftime, the Frogs were still within striking distance, but the margin grew quickly after the break. A pair of free throws to open the second half extended Houston’s cushion, forcing TCU to play uphill.
To their credit, the Frogs responded with urgency. Defensive pressure ramped up, the pace increased, and a series of baskets pulled TCU back within single digits - and eventually within two.
That’s when Houston freshman Kingston Flemings took over. The highly touted guard either scored or created offense on several key possessions, halting TCU’s momentum and reestablishing control.
TCU continued to battle, leaning on physical interior play and aggressive drives. The Frogs finished with a significant edge in points in the paint, a sign they were finding ways to attack Houston’s defense.
But the difference came at the free-throw line. Missed opportunities loomed large, while the Cougars capitalized on nearly every chance they earned.
Despite shooting a better percentage from the field overall, TCU couldn’t overcome the disparity at the stripe.
Houston’s calm execution late, especially with the clock winding down, kept the Frogs at arm’s length and sealed the result.
Xavier Edmonds led TCU with an 18-point, 10-rebound performance, marking his third consecutive double-double.
David Punch added 16 points and six assists, while a balanced supporting cast chipped in throughout the night.
For Houston, Flemings paced all scorers with 27 points, supported by a strong outing from Emanuel Sharp and a physical presence inside from Chris Cenac Jr.
The loss snaps TCU’s short Big 12 winning streak but doesn’t erase the positives. The Frogs showed resilience, defensive grit, and flashes of offensive rhythm against one of the conference’s toughest opponents.
Next up, TCU hits the road for a Sunday afternoon matchup against Colorado in Boulder.
Tipoff is set for Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. CT, offering the Frogs an immediate chance to regroup and get back on track.