Jayden Pierre scores 17 as TCU crushes Kansas City

Jayden Pierre had 17 points and six rebounds in TCU's 81-45 victory Wednesday night over Kansas City at Fort Worth, Texas.

The Horned Frogs (3-2) completed their string of five straight home games to open the season.

Liutauras Lelevicius added 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range.

David Punch led the Horned Frogs with nine rebounds and seven assists.

TCU shot better from beyond the arc at 43.8 percent (14 of 32) than from the field overall. The Horned Frogs made 39.7 percent of its shots (27 of 68) from the field.

TCU scored the first 17 points in the first five minutes of the game and was never threatened.

Lelevicius had eight of those points, including two 3-pointers.

After Kansas City (1-4) cut the lead to 35-21 with 5:41 left in the first half, TCU scored eight unanswered points to pull away.

Karmello Branch led Kansas City with 18 points. He was the only scorer in double figures.

None of the other Roos scored more than five points.

Kansas City was limited to 23.2% shooting from the field, making 13 of 56. The Roos were 7 of 32 (21.9%) from 3-point range.

At one point, Kansas City missed nine straight shots from the field. Its deficit increased from 46-26 with 1:50 left in the first half to 59-29 with 16:19 remaining.

TCU itself went through a cold spell of 15 straight missed shots from the field in the second half but still maintained at least a 25-point lead.

TCU forced 18 turnovers by Kansas City that led to 16 points.

A 50-36 rebounding edge by TCU helped the Horned Frogs collect 20 second-chance points and 24 points in the lane.

The Horned Frogs produced 21 assists that contributed to their 27 made field goals.

TCU also made 13 of 15 shots from the free-throw line.

Brock Harding's four steals were part of TCU's 12 steals in the game.

--Field Level Media