TCU men’s basketball claims win in final seconds

By Delayna Zepeda, Staff Writer

Published Feb 12, 2025

TCU center Ernest Udeh dunks the ball at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 12, 2025. (TCU360/Tyler Chan)

With just 0.4 seconds remaining, Vasean Allette delivered a clutch three-pointer against Oklahoma State to give TCU men’s basketball a victory in this Big 12 matchup, 72-73.

Allette had an impressive game all-around and played a huge contributing role in both scoring and assists. He collected three assists early on, aiding the Frogs to form a lead. Allette finished the game leading the team with 16 points, six rebounds and a total of seven assists.

The Horned Frogs shot 51.7% from the field and showcased strong defense, forcing eight turnovers on the Cowboys in the first half. Despite seven turnovers of their own, TCU held a lead going into halftime, 38-31.

TCU guard Noah Reynolds points to his teammate after making a shot at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 12, 2025. (TCU360/Tyler Chan) (Tyler Chan)

Oklahoma State had the opportunity to capitalize on TCU’s early foul trouble as starting center Ernest Udeh Jr. and starting forward David Punch collected three fouls early on, but the Cowboys closed the first half, only shooting 38% from the field.

Out of the locker room, OSU took advantage of the Frogs’ slow start to the second half. TCU struggled to find rhythm and only shot 28.7% from the field early on, allowing the Cowboys to continuously close in on scoring gaps.

The Frogs struggled with consistency on the court, placing themselves in a tight battle late in the game. OSU was able to get a 10-0 run and tie the game with a little over seven minutes to play. The Frogs were on a four-minute scoring drought with less than two minutes remaining.

A combined total of 42 fouls were called this game, and Udeh fouled out for the first time since his freshman year at Kansas with a little over three minutes to go.

With the game rounding to a close, OSU was fueled by their own two missed throws, and TCU failed to get the rebound, allowing OSU to redeem themselves with four points to take their first lead of the game with just 11 seconds left, 71-70.

TCU guard Vasean Allette celebrates after hitting the game winning three pointer at Schollmaier Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. 12, 2025. The TCU Horned Frogs beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 73-72 (TCU360/Tyler Chan) (Tyler Chan)

With missed opportunities at the rim for TCU, it was a stressful end of the game, but Allette’s game-winning three-pointer showed the team’s determination to take a win at home.

Up next, TCU men’s basketball hits the road to face Arizona State on Saturday, Feb.15 at Wells Fargo Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.