TCU Bounces Buckeyes in First-Round NCAA Tournament Clash TCU’s confidence in its NCAA tournament matchup against Ohio State was put to the test on Thursday, with the Horned Frogs delivering a decisive 66-64 victory to advance to the second round. Forward David Punch’s pregame assertion that TCU would beat Ohio State “nine out of 10 times” added pressure on the team to back up his bold claim. Forward Xavier Edmonds acknowledged the challenge, noting that Punch’s words, though “a little bit misconstrued,” served as a motivator for the squad. The game saw TCU dominate from beyond the arc in the first half, but a sharp decline in shooting after halftime allowed Ohio State to mount a comeback. The Buckeyes clawed back into the contest, taking a 51-50 lead with over seven minutes remaining. With Edmonds in foul trouble, Punch stepped up to carry the load, finishing with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists. His crucial pass to Edmonds for a go-ahead layup with four seconds left sealed the win. Ohio State had one final chance to tie the game, but Bruce Thornton’s half-court heave fell short, leaving the Buckeyes without a shot at the win. The result validated Punch’s pregame confidence, though TCU wasn’t finished sending a message to Ohio State. Edmonds emphasized the contrast between the Big 12 and Big Ten conferences, stating, “We just felt like them as a Big Ten team, they just haven’t felt or seen a defense like ours.” He added that the game was an opportunity to showcase the intensity and physicality of Big 12 basketball, with Edmonds finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds.#tcu #ohio_state #bruce_thornton #xavier_edmonds #david_punch
March Madness 2026: TCU's Xavier Edmonds Stuns Ohio State with Game-Winning Shot The opening game of the 2026 men’s NCAA tournament delivered a thrilling upset as No. 9 TCU’s Xavier Edmonds hit a last-second shot to secure a 66-64 victory over No. 8 Ohio State in the East region. With just 4.3 seconds remaining, Edmonds launched a deep three-pointer at the rim, sending the Horned Frogs into the second round. The dramatic finish underscored the high stakes and unpredictability of March Madness, setting the tone for a competitive tournament. Ohio State had clawed back from a 15-point halftime deficit, mounting an 11-1 run to take a 55-50 lead with 6:19 left in the game. However, TCU’s resilience shone through as the team closed the gap in the final minutes. The Buckeyes’ struggles at the end of the game were evident, as they made just one of their last seven field goals. Despite the late surge, Ohio State’s inability to convert key shots proved costly, allowing TCU to reclaim the lead. The first half saw TCU dominate, leading 39-24 after shooting 7-of-13 from beyond the arc. However, the Frogs’ offensive efficiency dropped sharply in the second half, as they connected on only 9-of-28 shots and 2-of-10 three-pointers. This decline enabled Ohio State to chip away at the deficit, setting the stage for the tense final minutes. Edmonds’ game-winning shot came after Ohio State called its final timeout, but the Buckeyes’ last-ditch effort fell short. Bruce Thornton’s half-court attempt at the buzzer missed the rim, sealing TCU’s win. The victory highlighted Edmonds’ clutch performance, as he finished with 16 points and became one of three TCU players in double figures. Micah Robinson led all scorers with 18 points, while David Punch added 16 points and 13 rebounds.#tcu #ohio_state #bruce_thornton #march_madness_2026 #xavier_edmonds
