What Happened

SAN DIEGO – Texas Christian guard Brock Harding broke a tie with a short jumper at the 50-second mark, then sealed the win by sinking four free throws in the final 13 seconds. The Horned Frogs erased a 10-point second-half deficit Thursday to shock 10th-ranked and defending NCAA champion Florida, 84-80, in the opening round of the Rady Children's Invitational at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Junior guard Urban Klavzar paced the Gators with 20 points off the bench, hitting four 3-pointers, while junior forward Thomas Haugh also added 20. The turning point, however, was TCU’s relentless defense, which forced 19 turnovers leading to 22 points, and their efficient shooting—58% in the second half, including 15-for-20 (75%) inside the arc.

Harding finished with 19 points, 12 assists, and five of his team’s 12 steals. Backup forward Jace Posey came off the bench to lead all scorers with 21 points, making six of eight shots and nine of 11 free throws. Forward David Punch contributed 19 points and nine rebounds.

After a foul-heavy first half, Florida held a two-point edge at the break and later stretched the lead to 10 early in the second. But the Frogs rallied, eventually reclaiming the advantage. UF briefly surged ahead by six behind Klavzar’s shooting, only for TCU to respond again. Posey’s inside presence set up a driving layup by Micah Robinson that put the Frogs ahead 75-74 with 3:14 left.

UF tied it at 77 on a Boogie Fland (12 points, 3 steals, fouled out) driving layup. Following a pair of turnovers, Harding attacked the lane and hit the decisive basket.

Florida still had a chance, but junior forward Alex Condon (8 points, 8 rebounds, career-high 8 assists) missed a late-clock 3-pointer. Moments later, Rueben Chinyelu was whistled for a flagrant foul with 13 seconds remaining. Harding converted both free throws, then added one more on the ensuing possession to secure a five-point cushion with 11.9 seconds left.