PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Memphis senior guard Jeremiah scored a game-high 30 points - his fifth of 30 or more points this month - to lead the Tigers past Temple, 81-73, Tuesday night in an American Athletic Conference game at FedExForum.
Tuesday, February 26
Martin, the reigning conference player of the week, entered the game averaging 30.7 points in seven February games. Against Temple he made 11-of-16 field goals, but, more importantly, he scored 10-straight points in the final five minutes to preserve a double-digit lead.
The victory allowed the Tigers (18-11, 10-6 The American) to remain in the hunt for one of the top four seeds in next month's conference tournament at FedExForum. The top four seeds receive a first-round bye in the four-day event. Memphis is in fifth place, one-half game behind Temple in the standings.
The Tigers, who trailed by five at the break, outscored Temple, 48-35, in the second half. The Owls (20-8, 10-5 The American) were limited to 32-percent shooting in the second half,
In the second half, the Tigers shot 58-percent to hold off the Owls and avenge an 85-76 loss to Temple in Philadelphia.
Kyvon Davenport added 12 points for the Tigers and Antwann Jones scored 10. Memphis outrebounded the Owls, 40-38. Raynere Thornton paced the Tigers with a game-high 11 rebounds.
Shizz Alston, Jr. led Temple with 22 points, Nate Pierre-Louis scored 16 and J.P. Moorman finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers trailed by three (46-43) midway through the second half, but took the lead for good behind Martin. He first fed Isaiah Maurice for a dunk and followed with a three-point play for a 48-46 lead.
A 13-3 run to end the half gave Temple a 38-33 lead at the break. The Tigers led most of the opening half behind Martin, who had 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
Memphis led 30-25 with 4:15 to go in the first half after two free throws from Martin, but Temple scored 11 straight to take command at 36-30. Back-to-back dunks following Tiger turnovers capped the run.
The Tigers shot 43.3 percent in the first half and outrebounded the Owls, 23-16, but were undone by 12 turnovers. Temple shot 41.7 percent and committed only five turnovers.
UPCOMING GAMES