Wenzel’s Remarkable Performance Propels TCU Past No. 25 Baylor in Thrilling 74-71 Victory

WACO, Texas – After being behind by as much as 12 points, a Brendan Wenzel three-pointer with just 5.0 seconds to go secured TCU a 74-71 victory against No. 25 Baylor on Sunday at Foster Pavilion.

The Horned Frogs (10-7, 3-3) were ahead 71-65 with 35 seconds left. During the next possession, Baylor’s V.J. Edgecombe was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer. He converted all three free throws to reduce TCU’s lead to 71-68 with 28 seconds remaining. Jeremy Roach intercepted the inbounds pass, resulting in a game-tying three-point shot by Jayden Nunn 17 seconds before the final buzzer.

Following Wenzel’s three off a feed from Noah Reynolds, Nunn’s shot to level the score was swatted by Ernest Udeh Jr., who matched his career best with four blocks. The junior had a standout performance, finishing with a personal record of 16 points and a season-best 15 rebounds.

TCU was behind by nine, 56-47, with 11:58 left to play. From that moment, the Frogs launched a 20-5 scoring spree to establish a 67-61 lead thanks to a Wenzel three-pointer with 3:21 remaining.

Wenzel concluded the game having made 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and scoring a season-high 17 points. As a unit, TCU made 50.9 percent of their shots while restricting Baylor (11-6, 3-3) to 39.7 percent. For the first instance this season in Big 12 competition, the Frogs achieved a rebounding advantage, 41-25.

TCU will be back in action on Wednesday when it faces No. 9 Kansas at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

TEAM NOTES

–       TCU enhanced its all-time record against Baylor to 88-105.

–       TCU’s record in Waco improved to 40-55, having won the last three encounters there.

–       Jamie Dixon‘s coaching record is now 498-240.

–       TCU’s road record stands at 1-3.

–       TCU’s performance against teams in the AP Top 25 this season stands at 1-1.

–       This marked TCU’s 39^th victory over an AP Top 25 squad in program history and the 24^th under Dixon’s guidance.

–       It was TCU’s seventh road victory against an AP Top 25 team in program history and the sixth during Dixon’s tenure.

–       TCU has achieved four wins all-time against a ranked Baylor team, all occurring in the past six seasons.

–       TCU outperformed Baylor on the boards, 41-25. The Frogs improved their record to 6-0 this season and 135-42 under Dixon when they grab more rebounds than their opponent.

–       This was the first occasion in Big 12 competition this season where TCU out-rebounded its rival.

–       TCU recorded a 50.9 shooting percentage from the field, its best showing since hitting 53.8 percent against Texas State on Nov. 12.

–       Baylor was restricted to 39.7 percent shooting. TCU’s record improved to 8-1 this season and 141-30 under Dixon when they outshoot their opponent.

–       TCU was down by as much as 12 points with 5:26 left in the first half, representing their largest deficit in a win this season. This was the fifth occasion this season that TCU overcame a deficit of six points or more and emerged victorious.

–       TCU committed 17 turnovers, compared to Baylor’s five.

–       TCU held the lead for 6 minutes and 30 seconds.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

–       Ernest Udeh Jr. recorded a career-high of 16 points along with a season-high of 15 rebounds, achieving his fourth double-double of the season.

–       Udeh’s four blocks matched his career-best performance.

–       Udeh converted 6-of-8 free throws, setting a personal record for both makes and attempts.  

–       Brendan Wenzel reached a season-high by scoring 17 points.

–       Wenzel shot 4-of-8 from three-point range. The final shot was the game-winner with 5.0 seconds left to break the 71-71 tie.

–       Vasean Allette registered 13 points, marking his seventh consecutive game in double figures.

–       Noah Reynolds also scored 13 points, achieving his seventh straight game in double figures.

–       Jace Posey contributed eight points off the bench, which is his highest scoring output since the season-opener where he totaled 11.

–       Trazarien White made 1-of-2 from three-point territory for his only score of the game, marking his 11^th consecutive game with at least one made three-pointer.