Behind a remarkable team effort on the defensive end and a double-double performance from Ernest Udeh Jr., TCU emerged victorious with a 58-49 win against South Alabama on Monday at Schollmaier Arena. The Horned Frogs' strong defensive play held the Jaguars to just 33.3 percent shooting from the field, with an even lower 24 percent in the second half, enabling TCU to secure its 18th consecutive home nonconference win.

TCU's Defense Shines as They Defeat South Alabama

First Half Struggles and Comeback

TCU entered the game without its leading scorer, Frankie Collins, who was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a broken left foot. The Frogs also missed their top shooter, Brendan Wenzel, especially against the Jaguars' zone defense. South Alabama took an early lead, going up by one point, 42-41, with 11:15 to play in the second half on a 3-pointer by Barry Dunning Jr., who led all players with 17 points. However, TCU didn't back down. A 3-pointer by Vasean Allette gave TCU its largest lead at the time, 48-42, with 8:15 remaining. The sophomore guard led the Frogs with 14 points, showing his ability to step up in the absence of key players.During this period, TCU continued to build its lead through its tenacious defense. The Jaguars made just one of their last 13 shot attempts from the field, struggling to find their rhythm. The TCU starting frontcourt dominated, with Udeh contributing 10 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 5-of-6 from the field. Freshman David Punch also added seven points and six rebounds, helping TCU outrebound South Alabama 40 to 30.

Second Half Dominance

In the second half, TCU's defense remained solid, not allowing South Alabama to make a serious comeback. The Horned Frogs' ability to limit the Jaguars' shooting and control the tempo of the game was crucial in securing the victory. Udeh's presence in the paint was a key factor, as he recorded three blocked shots, his third game this season with multiple blocks. Trazarien White also scored his fourth consecutive game in double figures with 13 points, and was 2-of-9 from 3-point range, hitting his fourth consecutive 3-pointer. Vasean Allette finished with 10 points, his highest output in eight games.Despite both teams having 12 turnovers, it was TCU's overall defensive performance and ability to control the game that made the difference. South Alabama entered the game ranked 25th nationally with 15.7 fastbreak points per game but was held to just eight on Monday. There were 13 ties and 15 lead changes throughout the game, but TCU's consistent play and defensive intensity gave them the edge.

Upcoming Game and Team Notes

The Horned Frogs will complete their nonconference schedule with a game against Montana State on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Schollmaier Arena. The game will air on ESPN+. TCU improved to 1-0 all-time against South Alabama and won its 18th consecutive home nonconference game. Jamie Dixon's record moved to 494-237 as a head coach, and TCU moved to 68-5 against nonconference opponents at Schollmaier Arena under Dixon. TCU outshot South Alabama from the field, 38.2 percent to 33.3 percent, improving to 5-1 this season and 138-30 under Dixon when outshooting their opponent. They also outrebounded South Alabama 40 to 30, improving to 4-0 this season and 133-43 under Dixon when outrebounding their opponent.