Thomas scores 19 to lead Houston over TCU 54-48

The Cougars (6-2) nearly doubled up on the Horned Frogs (6-3) in the paint, outscoring TCU 32-18.

The Horned Frogs kept the nation's 19th-best scoring offense in check, but they couldn't keep up themselves. TCU was the third-best team in the NCAA in scoring defense going into the game, giving up just 52.6 points per game.

Houston, which came into the game averaging 81 points per game — 19th-best in the NCAA — was held to its season low in points. But TCU shot just 33.3 percent, including 5 of 18 from 3-point range and 5 of 13 from the foul line.

Joseph Young added 12 points for the Cougars, snapping a two-game losing streak.

Kyan Anderson led TCU with 20 points. Adrick McKinney scored 10 and had 20 rebounds.

The Horned Frogs were playing catch-up from the get-go after starting the game 0 for 9 from the field. TCU didn't score for the first 6 1/2 minutes until McKinney hit one of two free throw attempts to make it 10-1 Houston. TCU hit its first field goal at the 12:08 mark when Nate Butler Lind knocked down a jumper, but the Cougars were already up 12-3 at that point.