University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, December 9
Memphis, Tenn.
12 PM
University of Memphis
6-2
90
vs
72
Bryant
1-9
1
2
F
Bryant University
34
38
72
Memphis
49
41
90
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Martin, Johnson lead hot-shooting Tigers past Bryant
Dec 09, 2017 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Junior guard Jeremiah Martin had 24 points and seven assists, freshman guard Jamal Johnson added 18 points and junior Kyvon Davenport scored 15 to lead the University of Memphis to its third straight win, a 90-72 victory over Bryant Saturday at FedExForum in the Houzz Gotham Classic Presented by TicketIQ.
Johnson, who had a game-winning three-point play in the closing seconds Tuesday to beat Samford, was making his first start, replacing Kareem Brewton in the lineup. Each of Johnson's six made field goals were 3-pointers, including a desperation shot at the end of the opening half that banked in from the right wing.
Johnson's circus shot at the end of half capped a 16-0 run that gave the Tigers a 49-34 advantage. Johnson hit two more 3s to open the second half that stretched the U of M lead to 55-34. Memphis eventually built a 27-point advantage later in the second half.
"It was a big boost to have Jamal in the lineup and knocking down shots," said Tigers coach Tubby Smith. "Jeremiah and Jamal really knocked down shots and Kyvon was finishing.
Smith said Johnson is "a guy who can make shots when he's open; he's fundamentally sound."
The Tigers (6-2) shot a season-high 57.6 percent, including making season-high 13 3-pointers. Memphis also shot a season-best 56.5 percent from beyond the arc (13-of-23).
"I felt we did some good things and that Jeremiah ran the team the right way," Smith said. "And we defended the right way, making them go to their second and third options."
It was Martin who gave the Tigers their biggest lead (82-55) late in the second half after dropping in the team's 13th 3-pointer and his sixth. Martin was 9-of-12 shooting, including going 6-of-7 from beyond the arc.
"We're just getting better every day," Martin said. "I'm just glad the teams we've been playing (before Bryant) have taken us down to the last second. I think it was something we needed and something we'll need going into the (American Athletic) Conference season."
Jimario Rivers added 11 points and six rebounds for the Tigers.
Bryant (1-9) was playing without guard Adam Grant, who was averaging 15 points per game and had 24-point outings at Georgia and N.C. State to start the season.
"The downside was at the end of the half," said Bryant coach Tim O'Shea. "With 3:53 to go I think it was a one-point game. We just had a bad run at the end of the half. The exclamation point was probably that crazy 3 (by Johnson)."
The Tigers held Bryant to 39.7 percent shooting. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Ikenna Ndugba's 17 points and six rebounds.
Memphis resumes play in the Houzz Gotham Classic with a game Tuesday night against Albany at FedExForum.
Johnson, who had a game-winning three-point play in the closing seconds Tuesday to beat Samford, was making his first start, replacing Kareem Brewton in the lineup. Each of Johnson's six made field goals were 3-pointers, including a desperation shot at the end of the opening half that banked in from the right wing.
Johnson's circus shot at the end of half capped a 16-0 run that gave the Tigers a 49-34 advantage. Johnson hit two more 3s to open the second half that stretched the U of M lead to 55-34. Memphis eventually built a 27-point advantage later in the second half.
"It was a big boost to have Jamal in the lineup and knocking down shots," said Tigers coach Tubby Smith. "Jeremiah and Jamal really knocked down shots and Kyvon was finishing.
Smith said Johnson is "a guy who can make shots when he's open; he's fundamentally sound."
The Tigers (6-2) shot a season-high 57.6 percent, including making season-high 13 3-pointers. Memphis also shot a season-best 56.5 percent from beyond the arc (13-of-23).
"I felt we did some good things and that Jeremiah ran the team the right way," Smith said. "And we defended the right way, making them go to their second and third options."
It was Martin who gave the Tigers their biggest lead (82-55) late in the second half after dropping in the team's 13th 3-pointer and his sixth. Martin was 9-of-12 shooting, including going 6-of-7 from beyond the arc.
"We're just getting better every day," Martin said. "I'm just glad the teams we've been playing (before Bryant) have taken us down to the last second. I think it was something we needed and something we'll need going into the (American Athletic) Conference season."
Jimario Rivers added 11 points and six rebounds for the Tigers.
Bryant (1-9) was playing without guard Adam Grant, who was averaging 15 points per game and had 24-point outings at Georgia and N.C. State to start the season.
"The downside was at the end of the half," said Bryant coach Tim O'Shea. "With 3:53 to go I think it was a one-point game. We just had a bad run at the end of the half. The exclamation point was probably that crazy 3 (by Johnson)."
The Tigers held Bryant to 39.7 percent shooting. The Bulldogs were led in scoring by Ikenna Ndugba's 17 points and six rebounds.
Memphis resumes play in the Houzz Gotham Classic with a game Tuesday night against Albany at FedExForum.
Team Stats
BRY
MEM
FG%
.397
.576
3FG%
.367
.565
FT%
.636
.529
RB
34
35
TO
13
16
STL
8
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
24
FGM
9
3FGM
6
FTM
0
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
6
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
/ Men's BasketballMen's Basketball: Penny Hardaway, Dain Dainja and Coby Rogers Press Conference-March 21, 2025
Friday, March 21
Men's Basketball: Penny Hardaway Press Conference-March 20, 2025
Thursday, March 20
Men's Basketball: Coby Rogers, PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja Press Conference-March 20, 2025
Thursday, March 20
Men's Basketball: PJ Haggerty and Nicholas Jourdain Press Conference- March 18 2025
Tuesday, March 18