Frogs Bounce Back, Defeat Kuiyam Pride, 137-109
8/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 16, 2002
Cairns, Australia - Ronald Hobbs and Bingo Merriex combined to score 50 points, leading TCU to a 137-109 win over Cairns Kuiyam Pride Friday at Fretwell Park. With the win, the Frogs improve to 2-1 thru the first three games of a six-game trip in Australia.
Hobbs, who recorded several highlight film dunks, made 11-of-15 field goals to lead the Frogs with 26 points. After scoring 16 points in the first half, Hobbs was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field in the second half.
Merriex, who is averaging24.6 points in the first three games, recorded a double double with 24 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. He made four three-pointers, raising his three-game total to 10 three-pointers made.
A total of seven Frogs reached double figures in scoring, including Junior Blount, who had 20 points, and Nucleus Smith with 19. Twelve of Smith's 19 points came in the third quarter, when the Frogs outscored the Pride, 37-18.
In the first half, TCU made nine more field goals than Kuiyam, but only had a 10-point lead at the half. The Pride stayed close, thanks to making 26 free throws in 33 attempts. In comparison, TCU made 10-of-13 free throws in the first half. Overall, the Pride made 38 free throws in 52 attempts, while the Frogs converted 26 free throws in 33 attempts. Leading the way for Kuiyam Pride was Billy Ross, who scored a game-high 30 points and Timmy Duggan, who scored 29 points. Twenty-four of the 59 combined points scored by Ross and Duggan came at the free throw line.
The Frogs dominated the glass, as they outrebounded the Pride by 25 rebounds, 65-40. TCU had 27 offensive rebounds and 38 defensive boards. The Frogs hit 50.5 percent from the field, the second time in three games that they have shot at least 50 percent from the field. The Pride shot only 41.6 percent from the field, including 38.5 percent in the second half.
Corey Valsin also posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Corey Santee added 14 points, while James Davis scored 12 points.
After playing games in each of the last three days, the Frogs will have a day off on Saturday. TCU will return to action on Sunday, August 18, when they face the Cairns Taipans.
Scoring: 1st Q-2nd Q-3rd Q-4th Q = Final
TCU: 33-38-37-29 = 137
Kuiyam Pride: 30-31-18-30 = 109
Individual Scoring
TCU - Ronald Hobbs 26, Bingo Merriex 24, Junior Blount 20, Nucleus Smith 19, Corey Valsin 15, Corey Santee 14, James Davis 12, Jamal Brown 3, Rebel Paulk 2, Marcus Sloan 2.
Kuiyam Pride - Billy Ross 30, Timmy Duggan 29, Deba George 17, Andre Moore 8, Glen Warrior 8, Ben Johnson 8, Francis Lobain 5, Michael Maclean 4.
