Xavier Edmonds powers Horned Frogs with 15 points and 13 rebounds as TCU pulls away late to secure Big 12 win.
TCU basketball leaned on toughness and timely execution Saturday, and Xavier Edmonds delivered both. The Horned Frogs knocked off Kansas State 77-68 behind a dominant all-around effort from Edmonds, who posted 15 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
The win pushes TCU to 19-10 overall and 9-7 in Big 12 play, strengthening its postseason résumé as March approaches.
This one wasn’t easy early. Kansas State shot 57 percent in the first half, fueled by PJ Haggerty’s hot hand. Haggerty poured in 14 of his 18 points before the break, keeping the Wildcats within striking distance. Nate Johnson added 16 points and nine assists, but turnovers proved costly.
The Wildcats coughed it up 18 times, and TCU turned those mistakes into 28 points, the difference in the game.
There were five lead changes and nine ties before Edmonds flipped the momentum late in the first half with a layup that gave TCU a lead it wouldn’t surrender.
Still, Kansas State kept swinging. After trimming the deficit to 67-65 with under five minutes left, it felt like another tense Big 12 finish was brewing.
That’s when Edmonds took over. The junior scored six straight points to ignite a 9-0 surge that gave TCU breathing room and effectively sealed it.
Tanner Toolson added 14 points, David Punch chipped in 13, and Liutauras Lelevicius scored 12 as the Horned Frogs showed balance and composure down the stretch.
TCU has now won five straight in the series and heads into a massive road showdown Tuesday at No. 16 Texas Tech with momentum building.
If Edmonds continues playing at this level, TCU basketball could be a dangerous out in the Big 12 and beyond.