TCU
8-6 (0-1MWC)
San Diego State
11-3 (1-0MWC)
Dismal first half dooms Horned Frogs in MWC opener
1/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The Horned Frogs struggled shooting from the field during the first 20 minutes of action as the Purple and White collected a total of 13 points - which tied for the third-lowest scoring output in a half in program history. TCU connected on 15.4 percent (4-of-26) from the field in the opening frame - which was the second-worst shooting performance in a half in program history.
With the Frogs unable to connect on a basket, the Aztecs were able to take advantage of the miscues and missed shots of the Purple and White as the home squad rallied off an 18-1 run over a 10-minute span, breaking an early 5-5 tie. After Kevin Langford (Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley H.S.) connected on a jumper to tie the score at 5-5 at the 17:26 mark, the Frogs missed their next 18 shots with Ryan Wall (Coppell, Texas/Coppell H.S.) ending the drought with a three-pointer with 2:56 remaining in the frame.
The Aztecs were able to take a 32-13 advantage heading into intermission after connecting on 53.8 percent (14-of-26) of their field goal attempts and holding a 20-4 lead in points in the paint during the opening frame.
In the second half of action, a different Purple and White re-entered the Cox Arena as the Frogs battled from the opening minute and were able to slowly cut into the scoring deficit. While the Aztecs were able to maintain a double-digit lead for the majority of the second half, the Frogs never allowed it to get completely out of hand.
TCU senior Brent Hackett (Fort Worth, Texas/Southwest H.S.) connected on a lay-in with 4:33 remaining in the game to cut the scoring deficit to eight points at 49-41 - which was the first time since the middle of the first half that the Frogs were within single-digits of the lead. Hackett finished with 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting in the game, including a pair of three-pointers.
On two occasions with under one minute remaining in the game, the Purple and White were able to get within seven points at 55-48 and 57-50, but the Aztecs connected on 15-of-16 free throws - including 15 consecutive - over the final four minutes to seal the home victory.
Langford finished with a game-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting to go along with six rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots in 35 minutes of action.
Henry Salter (Gulfport, Miss./Mississippi Gulf Coast College) connected on 14 points - including four three-pointers - to go along with five rebounds in 32 minutes of action. All 14 points for the Horned Frogs' top scorer came in the second half of action after going 0-of-5 during the first 20 minutes of action.
Lorrenzo Wade finished with a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds for the Aztecs while Kevlin Davis and Ryan Amoroso each notched 12 points for the home squad.
The Aztecs improved to 11-3 on the season with a 1-0 record in Mountain West Conference Action while the Frogs dropped their third straight game and sit at 8-6 with a 0-1 mark in conference action.
The Purple and White will be back in action on Saturday (Jan. 12) when the Frogs welcome the University of Wyoming to the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum for a 5:00 tip-off.
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