:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51910809/usa_today_8318425.0.jpeg)
TCU was able to improve to 3-0 in the Jamie Dixon era with a 79-60 home win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The Frogs were able to come out of halftime on fire and they quickly expanded on their five-point lead at the break. Brandon Parrish knocked down a pair of corner threes early in the second half which ultimately gave TCU the momentum they needed to get the win.
A major bright spot from tonight’s game was the return to action for junior guard Kenrich Williams. From the moment he stepped on the floor for pregame warm-ups, you could see a look of joy and excitement on his face. Williams missed all of last season with a knee injury and had also missed the first two games of this season. He entered early in the first half for TCU and instantly provided a spark by crashing the boards and increasing the defensive intensity. He finished the night with 9 points in 20 minutes of action.
On offense, the Frogs were led by Parrish who scored a game-high 20 points and made 8 of his 11 field goal attempts. He made 4 of 6 from three-point range, including those two early in the second half. Parrish got his first start of the season, replacing JD Miller who did not play tonight. Freshman guard Desmond Bane also had a big game, scoring 14 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Bane has scored in double-digits in all three games this season. As a team, the Frogs shot 50 percent from the field and only turned the ball over 8 times.
TCU was once again aggressive on defense and dominated in the post. Karviar Shepherd did an excellent job of stopping Norbertas Giga, the Gamecocks’ main big man. Sophomore Vladimir Brodziansky was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end, tallying 4 blocks on the night. The Frogs were able to force 14 turnovers on the night and held the Gamecocks to shooting only 43.8 percent from the field.
Jacksonville State was led by junior guard Malcolm Drumwright, who scored 19 points for the Gamecocks and also contributed 3 assists. Giga and Erik Durham also did what they could, each contributing 11 points and 8 rebounds.
Next up, TCU will face Illinois State on Monday at 5pm CST at Schollmaier Arena. The Redbirds will enter the game at 1-1, coming off of a 75-57 win over IPFW. This will be the Frogs final game before heading to Las Vegas to compete in the Global Sports Classic.