FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Mike Miles Jr. scored 26 points to lead No. 14 TCU past Lamar 77-64 on Friday night.
Miles’ big night came despite taking an elbow from a teammate that drew blood in the first half, forcing him to leave the game for a few minutes. He finished two points shy of his career high of 28.
Miles was 7 of 13 from the floor, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range. He had five rebounds and five assists.
It was physically a tough night for Miles, who injured his right big toe last week before Monday’s season opener. Aside from the elbow to the face, he hit the floor multiple times on drives to the basket. He also had to walk off a cramp before shooting free throws late in the game.
TCU, which escaped with a one-point win Monday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, also struggled to put away Lamar (1-1). Each time the Horned Frogs (2-0) seemed poised to blow the game open, the Cardinals scrapped back within striking distance.
Jakevion Buckley led Lamar with 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
Chuck O’Bannon Jr. scored five consecutive points on a baseline dunk and a corner 3 to put the Horned Frogs up by eight with 10:19 remaining, but the Cardinals wouldn’t go away. It wasn’t until the final six minutes that TCU held Lamar comfortably at bay.
Lamar cut the deficit to one with 13 minutes remaining, but Jakobe Coles buried a 3-pointer from the corner to give TCU a 51-47 lead.
UP NEXT
Lamar hosts Huston-Tillotson on Monday night.
TCU hosts Northwestern State on Monday night.
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