© Contributed by The Associated Press Xavier Cork (12) and Jacoby Coles (21) of TCU celebrate their victory over Texas Tech after an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
LUBBOK, TX (AP) — Jacoby Coles knows an injury situation will mean a big role for No. 24 TCU against Texas Tech.
The big sophomore probably didn't foresee a point over the foul line in the closing seconds. It happened quietly.
Coles made two free throws with 4.3 seconds left and the Horned Frogs won 83–82 on Saturday despite leading by 12 points in the last eight minutes.
© Provided by Associated Press TCU's Mike Miles Jr. (1) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Texas Tech on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
An interception from De'Vion Harmon and a layup gave the Red Raiders the lead with 12 seconds left, Coles caught a pass from Emmanuel Miller in the lane and Aimak was fouled by Fardow.
The Horned Frogs (19-10, 8-8 Big 12) returning without center Eddie Lampkin due to an ankle injury do not count towards the bonus. They stayed deep after the Red Raiders used one of two penalties to break TCU's top scorer Mike Miles Jr.
© Contributed by Associated Press De'Vion Harmon of Texas Institute of Technology (23) drives past TCU's Mickey Peavy (0) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
Coles, one minute short of his season-best 27th, got up to hit as the ball slipped from his hands and hit Aimak.
"Emmanuel, I think a good game fuels Jacoby," said TCU coach Jamie Dixon. "We said it would open and we wanted to put it in because we thought Mike would get dirty if we put it back in front."
Harmon's desperate 3-pointer on the buzzer was close to a four-game winning streak for Texas Tech (16-13, 5-11), who are trying to stay in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament seat despite going 0-8. Start with the Big 12 game.
“These guys are under a lot of pressure,” said Red Raiders coach Mark Adams. “I am proud of our people who have returned. These people have been through a lot, and we're probably a little emotionally drained."
© Contributed by The Associated Press Fardaus Eimak (11) of Texas Institute of Technology shoots a free throw during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against TCU on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
Miles had 24 points and Coles had 15 for the Horned Frogs, who lost five of six and lost top spot to Kansas. Miller had 14 points and 12 rebounds and Xavier Cork had 10 points despite the foul.
Aimak had 19 points, Harmon had 18, and Kevin Abanor finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for Texas Tech.
TCU led 74–62 off Coles' three-pointers with 7:39 left, but Texas Tech went on to go 8–0, cutting the lead to two with three minutes left.
Jaylon Tyson's three-pointer with 1:43 left gave the Red Raiders their first lead in the 10th minute of the first half before Damion Bowe, who had nine assists, set Miles up for the dunk.
With TCU still leading by a margin, Miles made a layup before giving the go-ahead, which Harmon took and converted to a layup to take an 82–81 lead.
© Provided by The Associated Press. TCU's Chuck O'Bannon Jr. (5) is defended by Texas Tech's Kevin O'Banner (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
CONSEQUENCES OF THE SURVEY
© Contributed by The Associated Press Pop Isaacs (2) of Texas Institute of Technology rides to a stop during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against TCU on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
TCU managed to weather a long slump and went 2-5 in February. The Frogs have appeared in 12 consecutive polls, but that school record could be in jeopardy when the new AP Top 25 is released on Monday.
ROUND FORM
Miles, the Big 12's best preseason player, returned on Monday from a 4-of-14 shooting night against the Jayhawks, winning 8-of-16 from the floor. It was his third game after missing five with a sprained right knee.
"Mike made some clutches," Dixon said. Now he's back. He said we might need two games after him. This is how the world works when you've been away for so long.
BIG PICTURE
TCU: The Horned Frogs were down seven games in a row in Lubbock, and former Texas Tech player Micah Peavy played a key role in the second half. Two of his baskets collided with each other during the run, helping the Red Raiders take a second-half lead.
© Provided by The Associated Press TCU's Mike Miles Jr. (1) on the rebound and Texas Institute of Technology's Pop Isaacs (2) defensive during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders arguably ended the draw with the best defensive rebound in the second half. The Horned Frogs responded after the break by outscoring Texas Tech 20–12 on second chance points. "They bounced like crazy," Dixon said of the Red Raiders. “Then we must put an end to this.
© Provided by The Associated Press. TCU's Xavier Cork (12) shoots Texas Tech's Fardous Aimak (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Chase Seabolt)
FURTHER
TCU: No. 8 Texas at home on Wednesday.
Texas Institute of Technology: No. 3 in Kansas on Tuesday.
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