Hot first half powers TCU past New Orleans, 86-71

Published Nov. 20, 2014 10:33 p.m. ET

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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Brandon Parrish set a career-high with 22 points to lead TCU to an 86-71 victory over New Orleans Thursday.

The Horned Frogs (3-0) shot a blistering 67.9 percent (19-for-28) from the field in the first half, which included a 5-for-5 clip from behind the arc. New Orleans attempted 17 field goals in the period.

TCU's 54-33 halftime lead marked its most points in a half since scoring 57 on Austin College in the second half of a 2011 contest.

''We shot 30-for-53 from the field,'' TCU head coach Trent Johnson said. ''In the past, we couldn't shoot 30-for-53 in the gym by ourselves.

''I don't worry about the offense. I worry about defending, rebounding, and taking care of the ball and getting open shots.''

New Orleans (1-1) sat five points back of the Horned Frogs with 7:31 to play before the intermission, but a 14-1 run by TCU over the next four minutes and one second gave it a comfortable 45-27 lead it kept in check for the rest of the night.

''I just think we let the game come to us tonight, rather than us going to get it,'' Parrish said. ''We played through our system, and when we play through our system we are as good as anybody.''

Chris Washburn, playing his first season at TCU since transferring from UTEP, tied his previous career-high of 14 points, all before halftime.

Kevin Brown led New Orleans with 21 points. Terrance Syon also added 15 and a game-high nine rebounds.

TIP-INS:

New Orleans had just one less rebound than TCU despite being outscored 34-20 in the paint and 17-6 in second-chance points.

TCU reached the 80-point plateau in consecutive games for the first time since March 13 and 19, 2012. The Horned Frogs beat Washington State 81-54 on Monday.

UP NEXT:

New Orleans travels to Texas A&M on Nov. 28

TCU hosts Mississippi Valley State on Monday.

THE SERIES:

The two teams had only played once before, when the Horned Frogs defeated the Privateers 74-61 in 1998.