What we learned from Xavier Musketeers’ loss to TCU Horned Frogs

[ad_1]

FORT WORTH, Texas − Playing in its final Big East-Big 12 Battle, Xavier ensured that Fort Worth will not cross its mind anytime soon as the Musketeers fell to TCU, 76-72, at Schollmaier Arena Thursday night.

Xavier’s early-season problems were still there in the Lone Star State as the Musketeers’ offense was stagnant, and their defense couldn’t consistently get stops. The Musketeers made their run in the second half, but TCU pulled away with takeaways and free throws in the final minute.

Xavier (7-2) has dropped two of its last three games following a 6-0 start and the one victory in that stretch was a narrow escape against South Carolina State. The Musketeers have several issues that need ironed out with multiple marquee matchups on the horizon.

Observations from Xavier Musketeers’ loss to TCU Horned Frogs

Xavier rallies in 2nd half but falls late

Xavier came out of the locker room and improved in several areas. The Musketeers biggest stretch came after the 12-minute media timeout with a 13-2 stretch to take a 60-54 lead, its biggest of the night.

In a second half that featured eight lead changes, TCU was at its best when it mattered most. With the score tied 69-69 with just over a minute remaining, the Horned Frogs registered back-to-back steals, leading to Vasean Allette’s go-ahead lay-in and free throws.

Xavier suffered from poor ball security over its last two games (35 turnovers) and that was the biggest issue in crunch time as TCU ended the game on a 9-3 run. Xavier coughed it up 15 times Thursday.

Dante Maddox gives Xavier big minutes off the bench

Dante Maddox played less than a minute of Sunday’s win over South Carolina State.

With Xavier desperately needing production off it bench, Maddox provided the biggest spark for the Musketeers in Texas. It started in the first half, when the Toledo transfer knocked down his first 3-pointer since Nov. 16.

In the second half, Marcus Foster chased down a long offensive rebound and found Maddox in the corner for another triple….

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/learned-xavier-musketeers-loss-tcu-031613584.html

Author : The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-12-06 03:16:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.