TCU won a conference tournament game for the first time in three years, as its last win was over Marquette in the 2005 Conference USA Tournament. It is TCU's first-ever Mountain West Conference Tournament victory, and the Horned Frogs advance to play in the MWC quarterfinals for the first time as well.
New Mexico is now 5-7 all-time in MWC Tournament games, and has never won an MWC Tournament game as a No. 5 or lower seed.
New Mexico opened up a 13-point lead in the first half, 24-11, thanks to an 18-0 run over a 6:43 span.
TCU held New Mexico without a basket for an 8:38 span over the end of the first half and beginning of the second. During that stretch TCU went on an 11-1 run to close within two, 35-33, with 14:35 left in the second half.
With New Mexico holding a 43-39 lead, TCU took control of the game with a 13-3 run over the next 4:08, to lead 52-46 with 4:47 to play. New Mexico came no closer then three points the rest of the game.
TCU won for the first time this year while trailing at halftime, as New Mexico held a 34-26 halftime lead.
New Mexico's J.R. Giddens finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the year, and fourth in his career.
TCU's Brent Hackett made five three-pointers in the game, which tied him for fourth-most ever in an MWC Tournament game, along with five other players. He also set a new career-high with 24 points.
TCU's Kevin Langford finished with a career-high 13 rebounds.
TCU advances to the quarterfinals against top seed BYU at 12 p.m., PT, Thursday.
