Tigers beat Loyola to improve to 9-0 at FedExForum

Saturday, December 23

Memphis, Tenn.

11 AM

University of Memphis

9-3

Loyola (Md.)

2-9

Loyola Maryland

Memphis

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Dec 23, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Memphis-Loyola Md. Boxscore Memphis Season Statistics

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It wasn't neatly wrapped, but for the University of Memphis and coach Tubby Smith it was a timely, and appreciated, gift for the holiday break.

Jeremiah Martin tied his career-high with 26 points, Raynere Thornton posted his first double-double and freshman David Nickelberry had the best game of his young career to lead the Tigers to an 83-71 victory over Loyola (Md.) Saturday at FedExForum.

Memphis (9-3) shot 62 percent in the second half and committed only four turnovers during the final 20 minutes to improve to 9-0 at home. Tiger coach Tubby Smith also got the victory over his son, G.G. Smith, who is in his fifth season as Loyola's coach.

"I was certainly glad to get this one over with," Tubby Smith said. "It's always tough when you are playing against family."

Smith improved to 2-0 against his son thanks, in part, to the play of Thornton, making his second straight start in place of the injured Jimario Rivers, and Nickelberry. Thornton finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Nickelberry added 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in an impressive 30 minutes on the floor.

Nickelberry, a 6-6 forward from Orlando, was particularly active in the final eight minutes, when the Tigers extended a three-point lead (62-59) to 12 (79-67). Nickelberry, a proficient passer, hit Thornton for a layup during the stretch while adding eight points, mostly on fastbreak layups.

Thornton had two put-backs during the same stretch, getting his double-double on a follow that gave the Tigers a 10-point cushion (77-67).

"We were feeding (off) David in the second half, he was getting guys open and making shots," said Martin, who reached his career high in points for the third time this season. He added four steals, four rebounds and three assists. He made six of eight free throws in the final 2:16.

"I believe in the team and, more importantly, I believe in myself," Martin said. "I feel when it's time to play, we are going to play."

The Tigers were outrebounded, 35-31, by Loyola (2-9). The Greyhounds' Cam Gregory finished with 13 rebounds. Chuck Champion had 16 points to lead Loyola.

"Give Memphis a lot of credit," G.G. Smith said. "I thought we played hard there for about 35 minutes . . . in the second half, we just couldn't make any 3s."

Loyola was 1-of-9 from long range in the second half, but trailed by only one (64-63) with about five minutes remaining before Nickelberry, Thornton and Martin stepped up.

On the strength of a 13-5 run to open the second half, the Tigers built a 48-40 lead.

In the first half, Loyola built a 12-point lead with nine minutes remaining after Champion drained a 3-pointer for a 25-13 advantage. The Tigers rallied by going on a 16-3 run – half the points coming from Martin – to claim a 29-28 lead with 4:07 left. Martin's second straight 3-pointer gave Memphis a slim margin.

Martin had 15 points at halftime, but the Tigers were being outrebounded, 20-14. Loyola scored 20 of its 35 first-half points in the paint, where the Greyhounds enjoyed a 20-10 advantage.

Loyola played its seventh road game of the season and G.G. Smith was coaching against his father for the first time since Loyola played Texas Tech in 2014 when Tubby Smith coached the Red Raiders.

The Tigers will take a few days off for the holidays and resume workouts early next week for their Dec. 28 game against LSU at FedExForum.