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Xavier Falls Short in Close Contest Against TCU
By
Musketeer Madness,
12/6/2024
The Xavier men's basketball team endured a tough 76-72 loss to TCU at the Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Despite a strong second-half performance, the Musketeers were unable to overcome TCU's balanced scoring and defensive tenacity. This loss brings Xavier's record to 7-2 on the season.
TCU set the tone early, jumping out to an 11-point lead in the first half. The Horned Frogs relied on efficient shooting from Frankie Collins, who scored a team-high 16 points, and Brendan Wenzel, who added 15 points, including three three-pointers. By halftime, TCU led 37-29, with Xavier struggling to find their rhythm against TCU’s defense, shooting just 44% from the field in the opening half.
Xavier responded in the second half, narrowing the deficit with a 9-0 run midway through the period. Ryan Conwell led the Musketeers with 17 points, including four three-pointers, while Zach Freemantle added 16 points and six rebounds. Dailyn Swain contributed a perfect shooting night, going 5-for-5 from the field to tally 12 points. However, Xavier's late push wasn’t enough to wrest the lead back from TCU, who capitalized on free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Turnovers played a significant role in the game, with TCU scoring 19 points off Xavier's 15 turnovers. In contrast, the Musketeers forced 13 turnovers but managed just 11 points off those opportunities. Xavier's bench provided a spark with 18 points, but TCU's depth proved superior as their reserves chipped in 27 points, including a crucial 10 points from Micah Robinson.
Both teams were evenly matched in several areas, with TCU slightly outscoring Xavier in the paint 38-36. The Musketeers, however, dominated second-chance points, 13-9, thanks to their 10 offensive rebounds. Despite their efforts, Xavier couldn't overcome TCU’s consistent scoring and timely defensive stops.
The Musketeers' ability to adjust and compete in the second half showed promise for potential for growth as the season progresses but they must put two halves together. Xavier will look to bounce back from this narrow defeat as they prepare for their next challenge against Morgan State. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on Monday at Cintas Center.
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