WACO, Texas (Interstat) — In a high-octane, foul-plagued Big 12 Conference showdown defined by offensive efficiency and a decisive second-half surge, the Texas Christian Horned Frogs outlasted the Baylor Bears 97-90 on Saturday night before a crowd of 7,124 at the Ferrell Center.

The game, a rematch of a Jan. 3 meeting won by TCU, saw the Horned Frogs (13-7, 3-4 Big 12) explode for 59 points after halftime to overcome a game that was tied 38-38 at intermission. Baylor (11-8, 2-5) could not match TCU’s offensive precision down the stretch, despite a spirited effort from its own backcourt.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the final ten minutes. With the score tight and both teams in the bonus, TCU leveraged its superior free-throw shooting and ability to protect the ball to create separation. The Horned Frogs attempted 43 free throws, making 35, while Baylor went 26 of 36 from the line. More crucially, TCU committed only 10 turnovers, converting 18 Baylor giveaways into 19 points. Baylor’s 18 turnovers, many unforced, repeatedly stalled their momentum and provided TCU with transition opportunities, where they held a 22-13 advantage.

Jayden Pierre, TCU’s standout guard from Elizabeth, New Jersey, led all scorers with 25 points, spearheading the Horned Frogs’ offensive attack. He was instrumental in the second-half push, hitting key three-pointers and consistently drawing fouls to get to the line. His backcourt partner, Brock Harding of Moline, Illinois, added 16 points and a game-high six assists, providing steady playmaking. Forward Xavier Edmonds of Long Beach, California, provided a massive interior presence, scoring 23 points and anchoring the defense.

Baylor’s effort was led by a trio of double-digit scorers. Isaac Williams from Oklahoma City scored 21 points, while Cameron Carr of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, added 20 points and six assists. Tounde Yessoufou, from Cotonou, Benin, also contributed 21 points for the Bears. However, Baylor’s shooting from beyond the arc was a persistent issue, as they finished just 8 of 26 from three-point range compared to TCU’s 6 of 13. The Bears did control the glass with 11 offensive rebounds but could not overcome their ball-handling woes.

Statistically, the game was a study in efficient offense. TCU scored 97 points on just 79 possessions, an elite offensive rating of 122.1. Baylor was also efficient at 112.4 points per 100 possessions but was ultimately undone by the turnover disparity. Both teams shot an identical 28 field goals, with TCU taking 54 attempts to Baylor’s 56, but the Horned Frogs’ extra trips to the foul line and cleaner execution proved the difference.

The win gives TCU a regular-season sweep of Baylor and moves them above .500 in conference play. The Horned Frogs will look to build on the momentum when they host Houston on Wednesday. Baylor, meanwhile, has now lost five of its last six games and will try to right the season on the road at Cincinnati next Wednesday. The Bears were projected as strong favorites to win this contest by advanced metrics, making TCU’s wire-to-wire competitive performance and eventual pull-away a significant result for both teams’ postseason trajectories.