TCU buries Delaware State behind Shepherd’s second-half spark
Victory took a couple of different forms for TCU on Monday.
The Horned Frogs discarded Delaware State 75-47 with a decisive second-half stamp led by Karviar Shepherd, who recorded his sixth career double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds.
That his best performance of the season coincided with the return of a key piece of the Horned Frogs’ game plan was likely no accident.
Having Chris Washburn, out all season with a broken finger, on the floor represented triumph long before the opening tip.
Make no mistake, No. 33 makes TCU (8-4) better. How much better will be determined in due time.
The 6-foot-8 junior forward gives TCU a much-needed dimension. He’s the team’s best defender, quick enough to overplay a passing lane and physical enough to mix it up inside.
“It’s nice to have Chris on the floor,” TCU coach Trent Johnson said. “He’s been a big part of what we’ve been doing for two years now and at the end of [last] year he and Kyan [Anderson] were probably our two best players.
“He played 25 minutes, but I thought overall he was pretty good. That happens when you’re older and mature and have some experience.”
To be expected, Washburn was rusty offensively, as Johnson noted, but “I thought defensively he was really, really good.”
Washburn finished with five points on 1-of-10 shooting, though he did display his good quickness on the block.
He played 25 minutes, but I thought overall he was pretty good. That happens when you’re older and mature and have some experience.
TCU coach Trent Johnson on Chris Washburn
TCU took too long to separate from the winless Hornets (0-13), who were playing the last of nine straight games on the road and coming off a 47-point loss to No. 24 Utah.
But Frogs did it in a flash.
After a sluggish first 20 minutes, the Frogs reappeared for the second half rejuvenated and zeroed in, scoring the first 10 points, keyed by two mid-range jumpers by Shepherd, to open up a 16-point lead and ultimately a 25-8 run in the first 10 minutes.
TCU’s lead ballooned to 33.
The Frogs hit 11 of their first 15 shot attempts, including five successful 3-point attempts.
Shepherd had nine offensive rebounds for the game.
Malique Trent and Chauncey Collins each had 12 points, while Brandon Parrish added 10.
Michael Williams, making his sixth straight start at point guard, had six assists and one turnover in 36 minutes. Williams, a junior, has 33 assists and 11 turnovers this season, not insignificant, especially for that position, considering TCU has had problems with unforced errors.
“He had six assists and one turnover in 36 minutes,” Johnson said. “He’s doing exactly what we want him to do and that’s take care of the ball.”
Making Washburn’s return all the more timely was the fact that Delaware State marked the last layup on TCU’s schedule. The Big 12 schedule starts Saturday at Oklahoma State.
In time for “big boy basketball,” as Johnson likes to say.
He had six assists and one turnover in 36 minutes. He’s doing exactly what we want him to do and that’s take care of the ball.
Johnson on point guard Michael Williams
Though TCU played without Devonta Abron (precaution, lower body issue) and Dalton Dry (ill), but the Frogs are finally as healthy as they’ve been all season.
“We’re ready to go,” Shepherd said. “It’s very important to have Chris back. He’s the best defender we’ve got. He brings intensity and physicality. I love playing with him.”
This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 11:13 PM with the headline "TCU buries Delaware State behind Shepherd’s second-half spark."