Martin's career-high 28 points lead Tigers over Tulsa

Saturday, January 6

Memphis, Tenn.

3 PM

University of Memphis

10-6, 1-2American

Tulsa

10-6, 3-1American

Tulsa

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Martin's career-high 28 points lead Tigers over Tulsa

Jan 06, 2018 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Memphis-Tulsa Boxscore Memphis Season Statistics (Overall/Conference Only)

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jeremiah Martin discovered the best way to snap out of a three-game shooting slump. Martin, the University of Memphis junior point guard, shot himself out of it.

Scoring a career-high 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting, Martin's touch, and leadership, helped the Tigers snap a three-game losing streak with a 76-67 American Athletic Conference victory over Tulsa Saturday at FedExForum.

Martin had gone 9-of-34 shooting in the team's previous three games – losses to LSU, Cincinnati and UCF – but was the key figure in the U of M (10-6, 1-2 AAC) recording its first league win. In addition to his point total, Martin added eight assists, five rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes.

"What can you say about Jeremiah," Tiger coach Tubby Smith said. "He really stepped up. He orchestrated. He ran the offense the right way. But his defense was so critical. He had two steals and he really harassed (Sterling) Taplin, a really talented player."

Tulsa (10-6, 3-1 AAC) entered the game unbeaten in league play after a double-overtime win over UConn earlier in the week at home. Tulsa connected on a league-record 17 3-pointers in that game. The Golden Hurricane finished with nine 3-pointers Saturday.

Martin's outburst was complemented by Mike Parks Jr.'s season-high 16 points, all of which came in the second half. Parks added a season-high tying seven rebounds. Freshman Jamal Johnson scored 10 points with four rebounds and a season-high three blocks, his best performance since scoring 18 in a win over Bryant Dec. 9.

"I think Mike (Parks) was being more aggressive, more physical, and everyone was taking the challenge to go rebound the basketball," Smith said.

The Tigers outrebounded Tulsa, 33-31, an impressive accomplishment considering the Golden Hurricane entered the game having rebounded its last nine opponents by nearly 10 boards.

Trailing by eight (55-47) midway through the second half, the Tigers rallied behind Martin and Parks. The duo fueled a 10-1 run that gave the U of M a 57-56 lead. Martin had five points during the run and Parks had two layups, both assisted by Martin.

When Martin dropped in a 3-pointer for a 65-58 lead with 3:23 left, he completed a stretch in which he scored, or assisted on, 17 consecutive points.

Memphis had 20 assists on 28 made baskets. The Tigers' 20 assists were the second-highest total this season. The U of M also shot 53.3 percent in the second half.

With Martin scoring 13 point and Davenport 11 in the first half, the Tigers built a five-point lead (24-19) after Martin went on a personal eight-point run. He banked in a 3-pointers, converted a three-point play and dropped in two free throws during the stretch.

When the Tigers encountered a late first-half scoring drought to fall behind by seven (33-26), Davenport ended the drought with a 3-pointer. Johnson drained a 3-pointer on the following U of M possession and the Tigers went to locker room trailing by one, 33-32.

The U of M shot 46.2 percent in the opening half and had 10 assists on 12 made baskets. Tulsa shot 35.5 percent and outrebounded the Tigers, 20-15.

Memphis stays home to play its next AAC game. The Tigers play host to Tulane Tuesday at 6 p.m. at FedExForum. The game will be carried by ESPNews.