TCU Falls to Spartans in Paradise Jam Semis
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ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I.—TCU suffered its first loss of the season Sunday in the semifinal round of the 12th annual U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam to Norfolk State, 66-53, at the UVISports and Fitness Center.
The setback dropped the Horned Frogs’ season record to 3-1. With the win, Norfolk State advanced to Monday evening’s tournament final against the winner of Sunday’s Marquette-Ole Miss semifinal matchup. The Horned Frogs will close out their stay at the Paradise Jam Monday against the Marquette-Ole Miss loser in the third-place game at 7 p.m. AST (5 p.m. CST).
TCU experienced its worst offensive night of the season against the Spartans, shooting only 25.4 percent for the game, including a 1-of-18 performance from 3-point range. Despite making only 7-of-31 field goals in the first half, the Frogs kept themselves in the game by relying on their strength to this point in the season—pressure defense. The squad forced 16 turnovers in the opening period, which it turned into 17 points. TCU also attacked the basket, which resulted in 12 free throws in 16 attempts in thehalf.
TCU trailed by only two points at intermission, 28-26, but its woes continued in the second half. A 10-0 Norfolk State run coinciding with a four-minute Frog scoring drought gave the Spartans a 14-point advantage, 46-32, with just over 10 minutes remaining. NSU would push the lead to 17 points just a minute later on a basket by guard Chris McEachin.
The Frogs were able to cut their deficit to only six points on layup by junior forward Adrick McKinney layup with two minutes remaining, but McEachin responded with his fourth 3-pointer to essentially ice the game for the Spartans.
McKinney was one of TCU’s few offensive bright spots, as he led the team in scoring for the first time with a career-high 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting. He added six rebounds and a career-best three steals. McKinney almost single-handedly helped keep the Frogs in the game in the first half by scoring 10 of TCU’s 17 points.
McKinney was matched up all night against a stout inside presence in NSU’s Kyle O’Quinn, who was voted the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year prior to the start of the season. O’Quinn led the Spartans Sunday with game highs of 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Also reaching double figures for TCU was senior guard Hank Thorns, who scored 12 points and totaled a team season-high five steals butshot only 3-of-14 from the field. Junior forward Garlon Green added eight points but was held to a 2-of-10 shooting performance.
McEachin finished with 16 points for the Spartans after hitting 4-of-7 attempts from outside the arc.
