University of Memphis Athletics
Tuesday, January 9
Memphis, Tenn.
6 PM
University of Memphis
11-6, 2-2American
96
vs
89
Tulane
11-5, 2-2American
1
2
F
Tulane
31
58
89
Memphis
50
46
96
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Martin scores career-high 31 to lead Tigers past Tulane
Jan 09, 2018 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For Jeremiah Martin, one career-high performance deserved another.
Three days after scoring a career-high 28 points in a win over Tulsa, Martin, the University of Memphis's junior guard, dropped in 31 points to set a new mark and lead the Tigers to a 96-89 American Athletic Conference victory over Tulane. Martin's effort helped the U of M to improve to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in AAC play.
Martin went 7-of-13 from the field and made all of his 15 free throws as the Tigers (11-6, 2-2 AAC) established season highs in points, points in a half (50), free throws made (35) and free throws attempted (43).
The Tigers shot 57.1 percent, their second-highest percentage of the season, and their accuracy allowed them to withstand a late flurry of 3-pointers by Tulane (11-5, 2-2 AAC).
"That's how we have to play if we're going to be a competitive team night in and night out," Tiger coach Tubby Smith said. "We shared the ball (and) I thought we simplified things offensively. We shot the ball (well). That was the key."
The Green Wave connected on seven 3-pointers in final 2:42 to turn a runaway into a close game. Memphis led by 14 with three minutes left, but it was a five-point game (94-89) with 20 seconds left after the last of Tulane's 3-pointers.
"It was a remarkable display of shooting," Smith said. "They made their last (seven) in a row, I guess. "
Memphis got its best balanced scoring of the season, too. In addition to Martin, four others scored in double figures. Mike Parks Jr., matched his career-high with 16 points, Kyvon Davenport added 15, Jimario Rivers scored 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench and Jamal Johnson finished with 10 points. Reserve guard Kareem Brewton grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.
"I feel like the way we are playing now, everybody is getting (their) shots," Martin said. "If you look at our scoring, we had a lot of guys in double figures and we had balanced scoring among the starters. I just feel like it was a team effort.
Ahead by 19 at the half, the Tigers led by 24 (62-38) early in the second half – their largest lead of the game – after Raynere Thornton dropped in a free throw.
Tulane, coached by Mike Dunleavy Sr., was coming off an impressive upset of reigning league champion SMU, but led against Memphis only in the opening minute.
"We deserved to lose this game," Dunleavy said. "We came out with nothing that we talked about prior to the game."
The Tigers scored 50 points in the opening half – the most they have posted in a half this season – en route to a 50-31 lead. Memphis shot 58 percent in the opening 20 minutes and outrebounded Tulane, 22-10.
At the half, Parks had 10 points (on 5-of-6 shooting) and Martin had 11 points and three assists. Jimario Rivers had eight points and three rebounds off the bench.
The Tigers built an early 9-2 lead behind Parks and Davenport and quickly extended it to 20 points. Memphis led 33-13 with 9:20 to go after Rivers sliced through the lane for a lefthanded layup.
Tulane cut into the large Memphis lead behind Samir Sehic, who connected on three 3-pointers during a three-minute stretch late in the half. But the Tigers closed the half on a 10-5 run.
After completing its two-game AAC homestand, the Tigers resume league play Saturday at Temple (7-8, 0-4 AAC).
Three days after scoring a career-high 28 points in a win over Tulsa, Martin, the University of Memphis's junior guard, dropped in 31 points to set a new mark and lead the Tigers to a 96-89 American Athletic Conference victory over Tulane. Martin's effort helped the U of M to improve to 11-6 overall and 2-2 in AAC play.
Martin went 7-of-13 from the field and made all of his 15 free throws as the Tigers (11-6, 2-2 AAC) established season highs in points, points in a half (50), free throws made (35) and free throws attempted (43).
The Tigers shot 57.1 percent, their second-highest percentage of the season, and their accuracy allowed them to withstand a late flurry of 3-pointers by Tulane (11-5, 2-2 AAC).
"That's how we have to play if we're going to be a competitive team night in and night out," Tiger coach Tubby Smith said. "We shared the ball (and) I thought we simplified things offensively. We shot the ball (well). That was the key."
The Green Wave connected on seven 3-pointers in final 2:42 to turn a runaway into a close game. Memphis led by 14 with three minutes left, but it was a five-point game (94-89) with 20 seconds left after the last of Tulane's 3-pointers.
"It was a remarkable display of shooting," Smith said. "They made their last (seven) in a row, I guess. "
Memphis got its best balanced scoring of the season, too. In addition to Martin, four others scored in double figures. Mike Parks Jr., matched his career-high with 16 points, Kyvon Davenport added 15, Jimario Rivers scored 12 points in 16 minutes off the bench and Jamal Johnson finished with 10 points. Reserve guard Kareem Brewton grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.
"I feel like the way we are playing now, everybody is getting (their) shots," Martin said. "If you look at our scoring, we had a lot of guys in double figures and we had balanced scoring among the starters. I just feel like it was a team effort.
Ahead by 19 at the half, the Tigers led by 24 (62-38) early in the second half – their largest lead of the game – after Raynere Thornton dropped in a free throw.
Tulane, coached by Mike Dunleavy Sr., was coming off an impressive upset of reigning league champion SMU, but led against Memphis only in the opening minute.
"We deserved to lose this game," Dunleavy said. "We came out with nothing that we talked about prior to the game."
The Tigers scored 50 points in the opening half – the most they have posted in a half this season – en route to a 50-31 lead. Memphis shot 58 percent in the opening 20 minutes and outrebounded Tulane, 22-10.
At the half, Parks had 10 points (on 5-of-6 shooting) and Martin had 11 points and three assists. Jimario Rivers had eight points and three rebounds off the bench.
The Tigers built an early 9-2 lead behind Parks and Davenport and quickly extended it to 20 points. Memphis led 33-13 with 9:20 to go after Rivers sliced through the lane for a lefthanded layup.
Tulane cut into the large Memphis lead behind Samir Sehic, who connected on three 3-pointers during a three-minute stretch late in the half. But the Tigers closed the half on a 10-5 run.
After completing its two-game AAC homestand, the Tigers resume league play Saturday at Temple (7-8, 0-4 AAC).
Team Stats
TLN
MEM
FG%
.484
.571
3FG%
.452
.417
FT%
.684
.814
RB
23
37
TO
13
16
STL
10
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
31
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
15
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G/F
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