SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A statement win to start the season, the Memphis men's basketball program ousted No. 18 Iowa State 80-76 in a neutral site game Monday at Sanford Pentagon.
 
The game was tied 69-69 with 3:15 left when senior Jayden Reid scored four consecutive points to put Memphis (1-0) up 73-69. After the Cyclones (0-1) got back within two at 75-73, Reid drilled a dagger three-pointer with 38 seconds remaining to make it 78-73.
 
Reid hit a pair of free throws with 20 seconds to go, and the Tigers got stops defensively to close it out.
 
Memphis improved to 9-0 in season openers under head coach Penny Hardaway. It was the program's first win over a ranked opponent on opening day since Nov. 25, 1995 when the 12th-ranked Tigers topped No. 24 Purdue 91-76 in Kansas City, Missouri.
 
Reid poured in a game-high 26 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 12-of-14 from the free throw line. Most of his damage came in the second half where he netted 17 points.
 
A big night came from senior Luke Almodovar who tallied 18 points, eight rebounds and a pair of steals. He threw down a highlight dunk to beat the buzzer at the end of the first half, which gave the Tigers a 40-39 edge at the intermission.
 
Senior Rihards Vavers notched 15 points and hit a trio of three-pointers. He also pulled down five rebounds.
 
Memphis outrebounded Iowa State 38-36. Fifth year Corneilous Williams secured eight rebounds off the bench to go along with six points. The Tigers also led the steals battle 7-4 which led to a 14-5 advantage in fast break scoring.
 
The Tigers made a living at the line where they were 25-of-33 (.758). Memphis was also 9-of-20 (.450) from beyond-the-arc.
 
The Tigers led 6-2 early after a lay-in by Rihards. A three by senior Jerry Deng made it 16-12 Memphis at the 12:16 mark.
 
The Tigers were still in front 30-27 after a tip-in by Williams with 6:48 left. Memphis carried a 40-39 lead into the half after a last-second throwdown dunk by Almodovar.
 
Memphis scored the first five points of the second half and was up 45-39 after a bucket by senior Tylik Weeks. A pair of free throws by Reid kept the Tigers ahead 55-50 with 12:04 to go.
 
A dunk by Weeks on the fast-break put Memphis in front 58-52 with 10:32 remaining. A three by Vavers extended it to 69-62 at the 5:30 mark.
 
Iowa State battled back and tied it 69-69 with 3:02 left. Though, four straight points from Reid gave the Tigers a 73-69 edge with 2:39 to go. Reid's two free throws with 20 seconds left upped the lead to 80-74.
 
The game featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, but Memphis led for over 32 minutes in the contest.
 
The Cyclones were led by Ryan Prather Jr.'s 19 points off the bench.
 
Memphis will play its home opener Saturday when it hosts VCU (RV) at 2 p.m. at FedExForum. The game can be watched on ESPN+.