No. 3 Kansas escapes TCU’s upset bid in Big 12 opener in Fort Worth
Kansas point guard Frank Mason scored 22 points and handed out seven assists to help the third-ranked Jayhawks overcome an early double-digit deficit and outlast TCU 86-80 in the Big 12 opener for both schools at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth.
TCU held a pair of 10-point leads in the first half but could not hold off the Jayhawks (12-1, 1-0 in Big 12) down the stretch despite a career-high 28 points from forward Vladimir Brodzianksy.
TCU fell to 11-2, 0-1 in Big 12 play. TCU returns to action Tuesday night in Schollmaier Arena against Oklahoma.
Kansas led 85-80 when TCU’s Kenrich Williams missed a 3-point jump shot with 17 seconds left. The Jayhawks added a free throw with 4 seconds to play.
The Jayhawks led 48-44 at halftime and never trailed in the final 20 minutes. Kansas built its lead to 78-69 with 4:10 to play but JD Miller’s 3-point jumper on a assist from Williams cut the Frogs’ deficit to six.
Two free throws by Jaylen Fisher made it 84-80 with 31 seconds left.
No. 3 KANSAS 86, TCU 80
KANSAS (12-1): Lucas 7-9 1-3 15, Jackson 2-8 0-0 4, Mykhailiuk 4-7 1-2 12, Mason 6-13 9-10 22, Graham 3-14 4-4 11, Bragg 2-5 1-2 5, Vick 5-11 4-4 17. Totals 29-67 20-25 86.
TCU (11-2): Brodziansky 9-19 10-11 28, Miller 2-6 2-5 8, K.Williams 3-9 3-4 11, Fisher 1-5 2-2 4, Robinson 5-10 0-1 10, Washburn 0-0 0-0 0, Shepherd 1-1 0-0 2, B.Parrish 3-5 0-0 9, Bane 2-4 0-0 4, M.Williams 1-2 2-2 4. Totals 27-61 19-25 80.
Halftime—Kansas 48-44. 3-Point Goals—Kansas 8-22 (Mykhailiuk 3-5, Vick 3-6, Mason 1-4, Graham 1-7), TCU 7-18 (B.Parrish 3-4, K.Williams 2-5, Miller 2-5, Fisher 0-1, Bane 0-1, Robinson 0-2). Fouled Out—Jackson. Rebounds—Kansas 39 (Lucas 17), TCU 36 (K.Williams 11). Assists—Kansas 20 (Mason 7), TCU 19 (Fisher 9). Total Fouls—Kansas 20, TCU 20. Technicals—Jackson, Kansas team. A—6,579 (7,201).
This story was originally published December 30, 2016 at 10:13 PM with the headline "No. 3 Kansas escapes TCU’s upset bid in Big 12 opener in Fort Worth."