Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

FORT WORTH, Texas — TCU’s comeback attempt against Texas came up short as the Longhorns snapped TCU’s three-game Big 12 winning streak in a 77-66 defeat.

As has often been the case in Big 12 play, the Horned Frogs found themselves in a tightly contested league matchup in front of a star-studded Schollmaier Arena crowd.

LaDainian Tomlinson, Desmond Bane, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti and the entire Horned Frogs football staff along with plenty of recruits were among the many in the stands for the jersey retirement ceremony of Kenrich Williams and for the final time TCU would host Texas in a Big 12 basketball game.

With 3:53 remaining, the Horned Frogs were tied 64-64 with Texas. After a relatively quiet game, Longhorns guard Max Abmas scored six straight points including a tightly contested 3-pointer to give Texas a 70-64 lead with just over two minutes remaining.

Abmas continued to put on a show with a long 3-point goal from the top of the key for a nine-point Longhorns’ lead with 1:47 remaining. In totality Abmas went on a personal 11-0 run to put the game away for the Longhorns. Abmas finished with a game-high 21 points.

TCU has a week off before traveling to No. 12 Iowa State.

Disu and Dillon’s damage

Texas big man Dylan Disu continued to be a problem for TCU on Saturday. Disu scored in double figures in three matchups against the Horned Frogs last season, including 15 points in the Big 12 tournament semifinals last March. Disu was just as effective this time around and showcased his increased range.

Disu nailed two 3-pointers in the first half to help lead a comeback attempt. In the second half after TCU had taken a 55-54 lead, Disu immediately responded with a powerful dunk over the TCU while being fouled to put the Longhorns back in front. Mitchell, the former five-star, was also a problem as he used his athleticism to be a force on the offensive glass.

After TCU tied the game at 57, Mitchell came up with a huge three-point play that jump started a 7-0 run by Texas late in the second half. The talented big men combined for 28 points and 18 rebounds. Texas out-rebounded TCU 33-21 including 14 offensive rebounds.

Fast start not enough

The game couldn’t have started any better for TCU as the Horned Frogs jumped out to a 14-4 lead in front of lively home crowd. Avery Anderson scored nine of the team’s 14 points including a 3-pointer. However, even as TCU’s offense shot better than 60% most of the first half, the Longhorns were able to work their way back into the game.

Disu was the first catalyst as he scored eight of Texas’ points during a 10-0 run that give the Longhorns their first lead of the game. When Disu went to the bench with his second foul with roughly six minutes remaining, it seemed like an ideal time for TCU to re-establish control of the game. Instead Texas was able to increase its lead due to tenacious ball pressure on defense.

In the final 4:51 of the half, the Horned Frogs turned it over five times, leading to a pair of highlight dunks for Texas. After leading by 10 at one point, the Horned Frogs went into halftime facing a surprising 43-32 deficit to the Longhorns despite shooting 54% for the half.