Executive Summary
- TCU defeated No. 10 Florida 84-80 after rallying from a 10-point second-half deficit.
- Brock Harding scored the go-ahead basket with 48 seconds left and hit five late free throws.
- Jace Posey scored a game-high 21 points for TCU, sparking the comeback.
- Florida’s four-game winning streak ended despite 20-point performances from Thomas Haugh and Urban Klavzar.
SAN DIEGO — The TCU Horned Frogs secured a significant victory against the 10th-ranked Florida Gators on Thursday, rallying for an 84-80 win in the opening game of the Rady Children’s Invitational. According to official game statistics, guard Brock Harding executed a decisive go-ahead jumper in the key with 48 seconds remaining and converted five free throws in the final 13 seconds to seal the upset.
Jace Posey led the scoring for TCU with a game-high 21 points, recording 16 of those points in the second half. This offensive surge helped the Horned Frogs overcome a 10-point deficit early in the second half. Harding and David Punch each contributed 19 points for TCU, which improved its record to 4-2. Reporting from the Associated Press notes that the team capitalized on Florida’s offensive silence and late turnovers to regain the lead.
For the Florida Gators, Thomas Haugh and Urban Klavzar each scored 20 points, but the defending national champions saw their four-game winning streak snapped. Despite leading 44-39 at halftime and extending that lead early in the second period, Florida faltered in the final minutes. A critical offensive foul called on Florida’s Boogie Fland—his fifth of the game—returned possession to TCU in the closing moments, setting the stage for Harding’s winning plays.
Competitive Outlook
This result holds substantial weight for the early-season trajectory of both programs. By defeating a top-10 opponent, TCU advances to the tournament title game to face the winner of the Wisconsin-Providence matchup, signaling their capability to compete with high-caliber teams. Conversely, the loss for Florida highlights potential vulnerabilities in maintaining leads under pressure and will likely impact their standing in the upcoming AP Top 25 poll as they move to the consolation bracket.
