HCU at TCU
Houston Christian University takes on TCU in the middle leg of a three-game road swing on Monday night in Fort Worth. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm at Schollmaier Arena in a game that the two schools will be highlighting the
"Play Smart, Save Lives" gun safety initiative (see more below game preview).
The Huskies are coming off a 92-65 loss at Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Friday evening. HCU led 20-17 just before the under-12 media of the first half, and trailed just 36-30 after a Jacob Arnold three-pointer with just over six minutes to go before the break, but a late run to finish the half and another to start the second by the Cowboys put the game out of reach.
Marcus Greene once again led the Huskies in scoring, going for 16 points along with two rebounds and two assists.
Jay Alvarez had 15 points and
Chigozie Achara matched his career-best with seven points along with four rebounds.
Bonke Maring once again led HCU on the backboards with 10 caroms while dishing out three assists to pace the team for the third straight game,
Overall through four games, the Huskies continue to be led offensively by Greene, who is averaging 16.5 points a game to led a trio in double-figure scoring. Alvarez is scoring 15 points a night while Imariagbe averages 11.5 points, 5.5 boards and 1.5 blocked shots.
Pierce Bazil is just a shade under double-digits at 9.3 points while pre-season All-SLC first-team selection Maring is averaging nine points, a team-best seven rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
TCU is 5-0, its best start out of the gates in six years. The Horned Frogs have five players scoring in double-figures already, led by Jakobe Coles, a 6'8 forward who is shooting 63% from the floor, 67% from three and averaging 16.2 points and 5.2 boards.
Micah Peavy averages 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists followed closely by Emanuel Miller's 12.6 points. Jameer Nelson, Jr. and Avery Anderson III round out the quintet at 11.6 and 10.6 points respectively.
This will be the ninth all-time meeting between the two schools, with TCU holding a 7-1 advantage in the all-time series. The Frogs defeated HCU 69-45 in the 2021 season-opener in Fort Worth.
The Huskies will return to Houston for the final "road" game of the three-game stretch away from Sharp, taking on cross-town rival Rice on Saturday, December 2 at Tudor Fieldhouse.
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PLAY SMART, SAVE LIVES ...
It may have been over a year ago, but the Huskies haven't forgotten their teammate and friend,
Darius Lee. In June prior to the 2022-23 season, the rising senior forward lost his life in a tragic shooting when he was hit by a stray bullet while at a barbecue. He had been at home visiting family in Harlem, N.Y. and was killed in a park not far from his home.
The Southland Conference named him the 2022-23 Preseason Player of the Year, and in December he was awarded his Bachelor's degree, which he was one semester away from completing.
On the heels of that season in March at the Final Four in Houston, Head Coach
Ron Cottrell along with other coaches from around the country got together for the
"Play Smart, Save Lives Initiative" to learn about gun safety and proper gun storage.
HCU and TCU will play Monday night's game in conjuction with the initiative, as each school will be wearing special warmup and shooter shirts for the contest.
In addition, the NABC is also announcing a partnership with the initiative, and HCU's game against the Horned Frogs will be mentioned as one of the first efforts to raise awareness for the need of responsible and safe gun use and storage.
Visit
www.playsmartsavelives.org to learn more.
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