Desmond Bane poured in 26 points, and Kevin Samuel added 17 points and 12 rebounds as new-look TCU defeated Southwestern (Texas) University 83-62 on Thursday in Fort Worth, Texas, in the Horned Frogs' season opener.

The Horned Frogs led by just five points at halftime but created needed distance by scoring 15 straight points over a 4 1/2-minute stretch early in the second half and were never again challenged. Bane had eight of TCU's points in that decisive run and scored 15 in the second half.

RJ Nembhard added 14 points and five assists, and Jamie Grayer contributed 13 points for TCU. The Horned Frogs dominated in points in the paint (46-14) and scored 34 points on 20 turnovers by Southwestern.

TCU outshot the Pirates 52.3 percent to 40 percent from the floor.

Southwestern's Brandon Alexander led all scorers with 28 points, hitting on 10 of 12 shots from the floor and 6 of 8 from beyond the 3-point arc. Luke Hicks added 12 points for the Pirates.

TCU led 26-13 midway through the first half before the Pirates, picked in the preseason to finish first in the NCAA Division III's Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, roared back within 43-38 at halftime thanks to 20 points over the first 20 minutes by Alexander.

Samuel had 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the first half for the Horned Frogs, with Bane adding 11 before halftime. TCU outshot Southwestern 53.1 percent to 41.4 percent, but the Pirates hit seven of their 14 3-point shots in the half to stay close.

The game was considered an exhibition for Southwestern.

TCU, which lost four key contributors from last year's team that played in the NIT semifinals, was picked in the preseason to finish 10th (last) in the loaded Big 12 Conference.

--Field Level Media