FORT WORTH, Texas (Interstat) — Texas Christian survived a late push from Incarnate Word for a 69-65 men’s basketball victory Monday night at Dickies Arena. The Horned Frogs trailed 37-31 at halftime but outscored the Cardinals 38-28 after the break. Davion Bailey led all scorers with 32 points for Incarnate Word. TCU’s Brock Harding and David Punch scored 13 and 17 points, respectively, to pace a balanced Horned Frogs attack before a crowd of 4,262. TCU improved to 7-3. Incarnate Word fell to 5-6.

FORT WORTH, Texas (Interstat) — In a game defined by a stunning individual performance and a relentless defensive presence, Texas Christian survived a career-high scoring outburst from Incarnate Word guard Davion Bailey to escape with a 69-65 victory on Monday night at Dickies Arena. Bailey, a 6-foot-4 junior from Indianapolis, poured in 32 points, single-handedly keeping the visiting Cardinals in contention against a more physically imposing Big 12 opponent. He connected on 7 of 16 attempts from three-point range, his shooting often the only answer for Incarnate Word against a stifling TCU interior defense. Despite Bailey’s heroics, the Horned Frogs used a decisive second-half push and a monumental shot-blocking effort to improve to 7-3 on the season, while the Cardinals fell to 5-6. The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the game’s final minutes, a tense sequence that saw TCU execute under pressure and Incarnate Word falter in its final possessions. Leading 67-65 with 13 seconds remaining, TCU’s Brock Harding was fouled and sent to the free-throw line. The 6-foot guard from Moline, Illinois, who finished with 13 points, calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to four. On the ensuing possession, Incarnate Word’s Tahj Staveskie, who had nine points and five assists, missed a floating jumper with five seconds left. TCU’s David Punch secured the defensive rebound, his 10th of the game, to seal the victory, capping a night where his defensive impact outweighed his 17 points. Punch, a 6-foot-7, 246-pound force from Harker Heights, Texas, was the defensive anchor for the Horned Frogs, registering five of his team’s nine blocks. His presence at the rim altered countless other attempts, as TCU out-blocked Incarnate Word 9-4. This defensive wall was the primary reason the Horned Frogs won despite being outshot from the field and dominated from beyond the arc. Incarnate Word hit 10 of 23 three-point attempts (43.5%), while TCU managed just 3 of 16 (18.8%). The Cardinals also committed only 11 turnovers to TCU’s eight. The difference came at the free-throw line and in offensive efficiency. TCU attempted 25 free throws, making 18, while Incarnate Word went just 5 of 9. The Horned Frogs also scored 69 points on just 63 possessions, an offensive rating of 109.7, compared to the Cardinals’ 65 points on 67 possessions, a rating of 96.6. Incarnate Word led for much of the first half, fueled by Bailey’s hot hand, and took a 37-31 lead into halftime. The Cardinals extended their lead to nine points early in the second half before TCU began its methodical comeback. A key 11-2 run midway through the half, powered by interior scores from Punch and Xavier Edmonds (eight points), gave the Horned Frogs a lead they would not relinquish, though the Cardinals stayed within one possession for the final four minutes. For TCU, Liutauras Lelevicius of Kaunas, Lithuania, provided crucial secondary scoring with 13 points. Incarnate Word’s Jordan Pyke contributed eight points and a game-high seven assists. The announced attendance was 4,262. The game was a tale of conflicting strengths: Bailey’s spectacular perimeter shooting for Incarnate Word versus TCU’s overwhelming interior defense and ability to draw fouls. In the end, the Horned Frogs’ physicality and clutch free-throw shooting in the final seconds proved to be the deciding factors, overcoming a performance from Bailey that nearly delivered a monumental road upset. TCU will host Oral Roberts on Thursday, while Incarnate Word returns home to face Northern Arizona on Saturday.

Preview: Incarnate Word Cardinals at TCU Horned Frogs FORT WORTH, Texas (Interstat) — The TCU Horned Frogs look to continue their strong nonconference play when they host the Incarnate Word Cardinals in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday at Dickies Arena. The Horned Frogs (6-3) enter on a positive note after a 65-55 road win over North Texas last Sunday, a victory that showcased their defensive capabilities. TCU has won four of its last five, including notable road wins at Florida and Wisconsin. Forward David Punch has been a consistent force, averaging 15.2 points over his last five games and providing rim protection with multiple blocks in three of those contests. Incarnate Word (5-5) seeks to rebound from a heartbreaking 84-83 loss at New Orleans on Dec. 8, a game where a late rally fell just short. The Cardinals have shown offensive firepower but are 1-2 in their last three outings. The matchup features a compelling duel between standout scorers. The Cardinals are led by guard Davion Bailey, who is coming off a 28-point performance against New Orleans and has scored 25 or more in four of his last seven games. Containing Bailey will be a key focus for the TCU defense. TCU, which has faced a tougher schedule, will rely on its size and Big 12-level athleticism to control the game. The Horned Frogs have held opponents to 63 points or fewer in three of their six wins. Incarnate Word, from the Southland Conference, has struggled on the road against high-major competition this season, falling by double digits at Indiana and Colorado State. This contest serves as a final tune-up for both teams before extended holiday breaks. TCU will host Oral Roberts on Thursday, while Incarnate Word’s next game is at home against Northern Arizona on Dec. 20. Monday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. CST at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.