TCU overcomes slow first half, beats Prairie View A&M 73-55

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) In order to manage a smile in his postgame press conference following his team's 73-55 victory over winless Prairie View A&M Friday night, TCU coach Trent Johnson brought his granddaughter to sit on his lap.

''The positive thing is we won the game,'' Johnson said. ''We're not playing very good basketball right now.''

Vladimir Brodziansky had 16 points on 7-of-7 shooting and TCU connected on 15 of 26 second-half field goal attempts to pull away, nearly doubling its first-half offensive output.

In a game marred by fouls and turnovers, the Horned Frogs (5-4) needed a 10-4 run over the final five minutes of the first half to lead 26-23 at halftime.

TCU's final game in its temporary home, the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center, saw more than a foul and a turnover per minute. The teams committed 58 fouls, with 33 on the Panthers, and 44 turnovers, including 23 by TCU.

''We were sluggish,'' Johnson said. ''We're better than that, and have to play better than that.''

Prairie View A&M (0-8), one of six winless teams in Division I basketball, challenged TCU early despite making just 6 of 29 shots in the first half.

Devonta Abron had 12 points and 10 boards for the Horned Frogs, who improved to 34-1 all-time against schools from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Admassu Williams led the Panthers with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Tyler Miller added 12 points.

Prior to halftime, the teams combined to shoot just 13 of 49 from the field, including 1 of 15 from 3-point range.

With finals week in sight, the Horned Frogs will not play again until Dec. 20, when the school unveils the $72 million renovation to the Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena against Abilene Christian.

''This comes at a good time,'' Johnson said. ''We've got two things to concentrate on now. Finals and basketball.''

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TIP-INS

Prairie View A&M: It was the team's second straight Big 12 opponent, following an 80-41 loss last week at Baylor ... The Panthers are 0-5 all-time against TCU.

TCU: The Horned Frogs are 34-7 under Trent Johnson when leading at the half ... TCU went 14-8 in its games at Wilkerson-Greines beginning with the start of the 2014-15 season. That record included an 11-2 mark in nonconference contests. Its best win was a 70-55 triumph over No. 21 Oklahoma State on Feb. 14, 2015.

INSTANT IMPACT

Sophomore transfer Vladimir Brodziansky's paced TCU's scoring for the fourth time in nine games.

LIFE ON THE ROAD

Prairie View A&M has played each of its eight games on the road and has only one of its 12 nonconference games at home this year. The Panthers have shown an ability to play teams tough for a half. The team trailed Wisconsin 42-36 and was tied with UNLV 42-42.

HELP MAY BE ON THE WAY

TCU played its first nine games without returning leading scorer, Chris Washburn, who is out with a hand injury. Johnson is hopeful Washburn will be able to return prior to the start of the Big 12 season.

UP NEXT

Prairie View A&M plays at Tulane on Monday.

TCU plays Abilene Christian on Sunday, Dec. 20.