TCU still in conversation for NCAA bid as it hosts Arizona State
TCU tries to stay in the hunt for a NCAA Tournament berth when it hosts enigmatic Arizona State on Tuesday in a late-season Big 12 Conference clash in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Horned Frogs (17-10, 7-7 Big 12) have won four of their last five outings to put themselves back in the discussion for an at-large NCAA berth. TCU's most recent victory was a 60-54 win at home over West Virginia on Saturday, a solid bounce-back from an 82-71 midweek loss at UCF.
Xavier Edmonds and Liutauras Lelevicius led the Horned Frogs with 14 points apiece and David Punch finished with 12, including seven points to spark a 17-5 run in the final 7:38 as TCU rallied late for the win.
The Horned Frogs held West Virginia to two points over the game's final 5:42.
"We had to battle, and we came a long way again," TCU coach Jamie Dixon said after the win. "Defense carried us -- we forced 16 turnovers and outrebounded them by 11. We made them take tough shots. I wish our offense could've been better early."
All of Lelevicius' points on Saturday came in the first half.
"I know I gotta shoot the ball when I'm open," he said. "As time goes on you just get used to (that role) and the guys as you play with them more at practice and games."
The Sun Devils (14-13, 5-9) head into town after a 73-68 loss at Baylor on Saturday. Arizona State had won two in a row, including a 72-67 victory at home over then-No. 13 Texas Tech on Feb. 17, so falling to struggling Baylor was disappointing for coach Bobby Hurley's bunch.
The Sun Devils were led by Anthony Johnson's 20 points off the bench. Maurice Odum finished with 12 points, while Massamba Diop had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Allen Mukeba scored 10. The game was tied at 61-all with 3:23 left but Arizona State could not get over the hump late.
"We'll be working on end-of-the-game situations for the next two or three days," Hurley said.
Arizona State would likely have to win its final four regular season games to earn a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament.
"We stick together and have been getting some good wins, quality wins that give us the confidence that we can really do this," Arizona State guard Noah Meeusen said.