Anderson scores 16 as TCU routs Washington State 81-54
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Hit 'em first is the saying the Horned Frogs like to use, but with just 20 wins in their first two seasons under coach Trent Johnson, TCU isn't usually the team landing the first punch.
TCU senior Kyan Anderson came out swinging Monday night against Washington State, stealing the Cougars' first possession and turning it into a fastbreak layup-turned-three-point-play, and the Frogs rolled Washington State 81-54 on Monday night.
"I feel like we did a good job at bringing the intensity first, before they did," said Anderson, who led TCU with 16 points, six assists and four steals. "It never ended from there."
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TCU (2-0) started the game shooting 7 of 9 from the floor, and Brandon Parrish's 3-pointer gave the Frogs a 17-2 lead less than five minutes into the game. Meanwhile, Washington State (0-2) didn't score its first field goal until Josh Hawkinson's layup with 15:50 to play.
Other than about a 1 1/2 minute period midway through the first half where Washington State cut TCU's lead into single-digits, the Frogs dominated throughout, leading by as many as 33 with 9:35 to play when a Chauncy Collins layup made it 72-39 TCU.
"Our guys were really ready to play — they played extremely hard and played well," Johnson said. "I'm happy for them because it's been a long time coming."
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Collins scored 10 points for TCU, and Kenrich Williams added nine points and 10 rebounds.
DaVonte Lacy, who averaged 19.4 points per game last season for the Cougars, scored 11 points on 3 of 10 shooting. Hawkinson led Washington State with 14 points.
It was a 10-1 Washington State run that made it look like the Cougars would make it a game with 9:40 to play in the first half, but they followed that with an almost 7 1/2 minute field goal drought. Washington State shot 35.2 percent for the game and only made 11 of 28 free throws.
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Anderson showed his versatility during a 37-second stretch in the second half, first swishing a 3 with his quick release then getting around Ike Iroegbu and driving to the basket for an easy layup and a 58-37 TCU lead. Anderson's night was over soon after, as he was able to rest on the bench while cheering on his teammates after playing just 23 minutes.
TCU played all 14 available players for the second-straight game. The Frogs have started the season 2-0 for the second time in three years under Johnson.
TIP-INS
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TCU: With 81 points, the Horned Frogs are now 12-1 all-time under head coach Trent Johnson when scoring 70-plus. Also, in giving up 54 points, TCU held an opponent to under 60 points for the 16th time under Johnson.
Washington State: The Cougars will finally head home to play a game in Pullman on Friday. WSU's two road games to start the season were played before any other Pac-12 school played either on the road on at a neutral site.
STAR POWER
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Kyan Anderson has scored in double-figures in 16-straight games dating back to last season. But it was his defensive effort - including the first play of the game - that Johnson commended. "He's earned that respect and freedom from me to go ahead and have some fun," coach Trent Johnson said. "I just like what he did defensively. He set the tone defensively. That's the key for us. he's defending with energy at the point of attack."
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
TCU coach Trent Johnson isn't too quick to give out praise, and Kyan Anderson knows that. But the Frogs won by 27 - so that should give Johnson reason to compliment the team, right? "Yeah, but with Coach J, it's going to take more than that," Anderson said. "I don't know what, but it's going to take more than that to get multiple compliments out of him."
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UP NEXT
TCU: hosts New Orleans on Thursday.
Washington State: hosts Idaho State on Friday.