Frogs survive South Dakota's test

TCU got its first real test of the season Wednesday and narrowly passed.

South Dakota got 31 from star Matt Mooney, but it wasn't enough as TCU edged the Coyotes 76-71.

"We knew they were good and we knew they were well-coached. I'm impressed with their team. They are old and used to winning," Dixon said. "We knew how good Mooney was and you got to witness that. He's a good player."

TCU led much of the game, but the game was tied at 68 with three minutes to play, but South Dakota never re-took the lead.

Brodziansky hit a pair of free throws and a huge sky hook to give TCU a three-point lead with 23 seconds left. Brodziansky finished with 23 points, five rebounds and three blocks.

"I was just trying to help the team in a close game and help us take a lead," Brodziansky said. "We got a win and that's most important, but there are a lot of things for us to work on."

That set up a three-point, game-tying attempt from Mooney. He appeared to rush his shot and was long. Kouat Noi, who had 10 first-half points, hauled in the rebound. He was fouled and hit both free throws with :13 to play to seal the victory.

"Coach always tell me to be ready for when I go in," Noi said. "When I came on, I was ready to contribute."

Dixon knew this game would be a challenge and is a solid non-conference victory.

"This will be a good RPI game for us. These are teams that are dangerous," Dixon said. "You don't necessarily want to play these teams, but if you're an NCAA tournament team, which I think we are, you play these teams that if you don't follow closely you won't know how good they are."

Dixon wasn't pleased with how his team handled the ball with 16 turnovers, several of them out of sloppiness.

"I'm not happy with how we played offensively and the 16 turnovers stand out," Dixon said. "We had four turnovers on behind the back dribbles that I've never seen so we're going to get that stopped quick."

Noi finished with 14 points and six rebounds. Desmond Bane had 10 points, four assists and three steals. Kenrich Williams has nine rebounds, seven points, three assists and four steals.

TCU (3-0) returns home at 8 p.m. Monday to face University of Nebraska-Omaha (0-2).