By Jamie Plunkett
Frogs Today staff writer
FORT WORTH – TCU lost their third straight game, and fourth out of their last five, on Saturday, falling to Baylor 72-68.
TCU held a ten point lead in the second half on Saturday afternoon, but they couldn’t hold on for the win. Instead, a 15-2 run by Baylor at a critical juncture gave the Bears a lead they would only briefly relinquish.
Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer combined for 51 points, including 29 in the second half, as they broke down the Frogs’ defense repeatedly during that critical run.
Damion Baugh led the way for TCU, recording his second double double of the season with 16 points and 10 assists. Baugh also led the Frogs in rebounding with seven.
TCU was in it until the end, as six points in the final 31 seconds of the game from Baugh pulled the Frogs to within range to win.
With 8.1 seconds left in the game, TCU forced a Baylor turnover on an inbounds pass while trailing 70-68. O’Bannon inbounded the ball to Baugh, who pulled up for a jump shot from the right elbow, but the shot missed and Flagler brought down the rebound.
Flagler went down and made two free throws on the other end, giving him 20 second half points and sealing the win for Baylor.
TCU was once again without Mike Miles Jr. who missed his fourth straight game after hyperextending his right knee. The team is hopeful Miles will be able to return when the team travels to Ames, Ia. this week to face Iowa State. Eddie Lampkin also missed the game on Saturday, but should be back for Iowa State as well.
In their absence, TCU got production from a variety of players, as the Frogs looked to avoid a repeat of last week’s midweek performance against Kansas State.
JaKobe Coles added 15 points and five rebounds, Emanuel Miller added 10 points, and Micah Peavy contributed nine points and five rebounds.
TCU stayed within striking distance in the first half, despite Baylor maintaining a small lead for the majority of the time. A 9-4 run to end the half was punctuated with a Coles three to give TCU a 34-31 lead at the break.
TCU’s defense began to wane in the final seven minutes of the ballgame, and Baylor took advantage. A 15-2 run for the Bears was capped by a Flagler 3-pointer, giving them the lead at 61-58.
The Frogs responded, with Miller getting to the basket for a score and a foul, but a missed free throw kept TCU behind 61-60.
A defensive stop led to a Coles layup to give the Frogs a 62-61 lead, but TCU handed it right back by fouling Flagler while he was in the act of shooting a three.
Flagler made all three free throws, giving the Bears a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Up Next
TCU travels to Iowa State on Wednesday for a matchup with the Cyclones. Iowa State boasts the only unblemished home record in Big 12 conference play at 5-0.
Jamie Plunkett, jamie@frogstoday.com
