TCU
9-3,0-0Big 12
Florida A&M
3-7,0-0SWAC
Jones Sparks Win Over Rattlers
12/21/2025 7:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Edmonds finishes with TCU-high 21 points
FORT WORTH – Sophomore RJ Jones came off the bench and helped TCU turn in a big second half performance to defeat Florida A&M, 80-56, on Sunday afternoon in Schollmaier Arena.
Jones, who had played in just four games and 14 minutes until Sunday, entered the game with 1:58 remaining in the first half and Florida A&M (3-7) leading 24-18. He hit a 3-pointer and a turnaround jumper before halftime to cut what was once a nine-point deficit to four points, 28-24.
The Horned Frogs (9-3) shot 25 percent from the field in the first half, their lowest for a half this season. Jones' spark ignited better production in the second half.
TCU started the second half on a 13-3 run, which included two more 3-pointers by Jones who was 4-of-8 from beyond-the-arc for a season-high 14 points. The Frogs led 37-31 with 16:57 to play.
TCU steadily pushed its lead to double-digits behind a season-high 21 points by first-year Frog Xavier Edwards. The starting center was 7-of-9 from the field and made his only 3-point attempt. As a team, TCU shot 56.3 percent from the field in the second half, including 50 percent (7-of-14) from 3-point range. The Frogs outscored the Rattlers 56-28 in the second half.
Even without 6-7 guard Liutauras Lelevicius, who was out with an illness, the Frogs outrebounded the Rattlers 43-25. David Punch had a team-high eight rebounds. Edwards and Micah Robinson each brought down seven boards. Punch and Edwards each scored 10 points.
TCU, which has won six of its last seven games, will return to action after Christmas with a game against Jackson State on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+.
TEAM NOTES
- TCU leads the all-time series 2-0.
- TCU improved to 6-3 at home this season.
- TCU improved to 93-21 under Jamie Dixon in November and December games combined.
- TCU improved to 112-20 against nonconference teams under Dixon, including 75-7 in Schollmaier Arena.
- TCU outrebounded FAMU, 43-25. The Frogs improved to 8-0 this season, 148-44 under Jamie Dixon and 157-44 since the 2015-16 season when outrebounding their opponent.
- In the second half, TCU outrebounded FAMU, 23-8.
- TCU's 25.0 percent shooting from the field in the first half was its lowest for any half this season.
- TCU shot 86.4 percent from the free throw line. It was its second-best effort from the line this season (Kansas City, 86.7).
- Florida A&M scored 28 points. TCU's scoring margin in the second half was 28 (56-28).
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Xavier Edmonds had a season-high 21 points, 15 of which came in the second half. It was his sixth time scoring in double figures this season and second time leading the team in scoring.
- Edmonds was 7-of-9 from the field, tying a season high in made field goals. He also made seven against North Texas.
- David Punch scored 10 points, his seven-straight game scoring in double figures.
- Punch led TCU in rebounding for the eighth-straight game with eight boards.
- Punch had one blocked shot. He has at least one block in all 12 games this season.
- Tanner Toolson had a season-high seven rebounds. It was his third-straight game with a season high rebound total.
- Brock Harding tied a career high with six rebounds. He also had six against Michigan earlier this season.
- Harding led TCU in assists for the ninth time this season with seven. It was his highest total in four games.
- RJ Jones came off the bench to tie a career high with 14 points scored. He also had 14 points as a freshman at Kansas State against South Dakota on March 5, 2023.
- Jones was 4-of-8 from three. It tied a career high for makes (4 vs. South Dakota) and was a new career high in attempts.
- Jones had a career-high five made field goals on nine attempts.
- Freshman Kayden Edwards was 2-of-3 from 3-point range. The two made threes was a season high.
- Robinson reached double figures for the sixth time this season with 10 points.
