PROVIDENCE, R.I - The Memphis Tigers were victorious in their American Athletic Conference men's basketball opener with an 85-74 win over Wichita State on Thursday night at FedExForum. The victory gave head coach Penny Hardaway his first American win in his league debut.
Thursday, January 3
Senior Kyvon Davenport scored 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half and freshman guard Antwann Jones added a career-high 16 points to lead the Tigers to the win
Before 15,068, the Tigers (9-5) gave Hardaway his initial conference win by shooting 50 percent, by outrebounding the Shockers, 35-29, and by turning the ball over only 11 times.
The Tigers, who won their fourth-straight game, forced 15 turnovers and limited the Shockers (7-6) to 39 percent shooting in the first half.
In addition to Davenport and Jones, Memphis got a solid effort from freshman guard Alex Lomax, who had a team-high eight rebounds along with five assists and three steals - also team highs. He was 4-of-4 from the field and finished with eight points.
Markis McDuffie, the league's third-leading scorer at 18 points per game, finished with 19 to lead the Shockers. Fourteen of his points came in the second half. McDuffie posted his 12th-consecutive double-figure scoring game. That streak is tied for the fourth-longest of the Gregg Marshall Era.
Wichita State opened the second half on a 9-2 run to trim a 12-point halftime deficit to 46-41. Jaime Echenique scored six straight to start the run, which was finished by Samajae Haynes-Jones, who knocked down a 3-pointer.
Memphis was ahead by only six (59-53) after a Dexter Dennis 3-pointer from the left corner, but used a 15-5 run to build a cushion. The Tigers led, 74-58, after Jones' strong drive to the basket.
Davenport was productive during the run. He scored five, including a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Wichita State made one final run and trailed by eight, 76-68, with 3:33 to go before Davenport dropped in another 3-pointer. He closed the scoring with an emphatic windmill dunk.
The Tigers built a 44-32 halftime advantage behind 48 percent shooting, strong rebounding and nearly flawless play. UofM outrebounded the Shockers, 21-15, and committed only five turnovers.
Wichita State and Memphis traded the lead in the first 12 minutes before the Tigers put together an 18-3 run to take command, 34-23. Jeremiah Martin and Jones had 3-pointers during the run, while Lomax had a key steal for a layup.
Jones led the Tigers at the half with 10 points and Davenport had eight.
The Tigers continued on a torrid early season shooting tear. Memphis shot 50 percent or better for the sixth time in seven games by making 28 of their 56 attempts.
Memphis completed its seven-game homestand, which started with a Dec. 4 win over South Dakota State. The Tigers finished 6-1 on the stand with their only loss coming to No. 3 Tennessee.
The Tigers' string of five straight 90-point games ended, but they reached their league-leading scoring average of 85 points per game.
Memphis freshman guard Tyler Harris went 2-for-2 from the line to extend his consecutive-made free throw streak to 23.
Memphis travels to Houston Sunday for a conference matchup against unbeaten and nationally ranked Houston. Tipoff is 6 p.m., ET on ESPNEWS. The Shockers return home Sunday afternoon to face Temple. The 4 p.m. ET tip also airs on ESPNEWS.
UPCOMING GAMES