Central Plains FFA Chapter

03/07 15:37 CST Pierre scores 18 to lift TCU past Cincinnati, 73-63 Pierre scores 18 to lift TCU past Cincinnati, 73-63 FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) --- Jayden Pierre had 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, Liutauras Lelevicius added 14 points, and TCU took down Cincinnati 73-63 in a regular-season finale for both teams. David Punch scored 13 points, dished seven assists and grabbed three steals for the Horned Frogs (21-10, 11-7 Big 12). It was their fifth straight win, setting a new program-best in Big 12 play. Pierre was 7-for-11 from the field, and the Frogs shot 44% overall and 27% from deep. Cincinnati shot 44% and 42%, respectively. The game was back-and-forth for much of the first half, with neither team leading by more than four points. A buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Micah Robinson sent the Horned Frogs to the locker room up 32-29. TCU pulled away in the second half with an early 9-0 run that put them ahead 45-35, and it led by double-figures for most of the final frame. The Frogs did not make a basket in the last 3:28, but went 10-for-12 from the charity stripe to secure the win. Day Day Thomas led the Bearcats (17-14, 9-9) with 19 points (7-of-14 shooting), four rebounds and two blocks. Baba Miller hauled in 14 rebounds as Cincinnati won the glass battle, 37-30.

Up next Both teams await seeding in the Big 12 Tournament, which begins Tuesday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball