The TCU Horned Frogs secured a 60-54 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday, February 21, fueled by a decisive 12-2 run in the final four minutes of the game.
A First-Half Spark
Liutauras Lelevicius ignited the Horned Frogs’ offense, contributing 14 first-half points – including a perfect 3-for-3 from the three-point line – to establish a 30-25 lead at halftime.
Close Contest and Final Push
The game remained competitive, with TCU trailing 49-43 heading into the under-eight-minute media timeout. Following the timeout, TCU scored on three of their first four possessions, narrowing West Virginia’s lead to one point and prompting a Mountaineer timeout.
West Virginia briefly regained the lead with a three-pointer, but TCU responded with an 8-0 run, taking a 56-52 advantage with 1:36 left to play. A late layup by Brenen Lorient brought the score within two points, initiating a series of fouls by West Virginia against a TCU team already in the double bonus.
Sealing the Victory at the Free-Throw Line
Brock Harding and Jayden Pierre both capitalized on the fouls, each sinking two free throws in the final 25 seconds to secure the win. TCU limited West Virginia to just two points in the last five minutes and 42 seconds of the game.
NCAA Tournament Implications
The victory carries significant weight as both teams are considered on the NCAA tournament bubble. Prior to the game, West Virginia was among the next four teams out, according to Joe Lunardi’s February 20 bracketology. Following TCU’s win, Lunardi now projects the Horned Frogs as one of the last four teams in the tournament.
TCU will continue their homestand on Tuesday, February 24, against Arizona State, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. On CBSSN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was TCU 60, West Virginia 54.
Who led TCU in scoring?
Liutauras Lelevicius and Xavier Edmonds each scored 14 points for TCU.
What is next for the TCU Horned Frogs?
TCU will face Arizona State at home on February 24 at 8 p.m. On CBSSN.
With the NCAA tournament picture becoming clearer, how important will each remaining game be for TCU’s postseason aspirations?
