The Penny Hardaway Era opens with a victory

Tuesday, November 6

Memphis, Tenn.

7 PM

University of Memphis

Tennessee Tech

Memphis

Kyvon Davenport scores two of his career-high 30 points in a 76-61 win over Tennessee Tech.

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Nov 06, 2018 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Boxscore (UM 76, TTU 61)

Davenport scores a career-high 30 points, Martin adds 18, in win over Tennessee Tech

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Penny Hardaway coaching era at the University of Memphis tipped off Tuesday night at FedExForum and seniors Kyvon Davenport and Jeremiah Martin played a huge role in it being a success.

Davenport scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Martin added 18 points as the Tigers defeated Tennessee Tech, 76-61, before 15,231. Hardaway, a former Tigers' All-American and NBA All-Star, was presented the game ball – autographed in the locker room by the players – after the victory.

Hardaway carried the ball with him at his post-game interviews and said he would find a spot in his office for it.

"This win feels good because Tennessee Tech really made us work," Hardaway said. "I'm definitely thankful for the win."

Davenport's previous career high (27 points) came during the first round of last year's American Athletic Conference Championship in Orlando. Davenport, who once scored 39 in a junior college game, made 11 of 17 shots.

"(My teammates) found me a lot," Davenport said. "And I was making shots."

Memphis led by 15 at the half and extended the advantage to 19 late in the second half after Kareem Brewton banked in a high-arching shot from the left of the lane for a 74-55 lead.

The Tigers struggled from the field shooting 38.2 percent in the second half and 41.9 percent overall, but were rescued by the contributions from Davenport and Martin and by forcing 26 turnovers. The UofM was 6-of-24 shooting from beyond the arc including 1-of-11 in the second half.

The team's freshmen combined to shoot 5 of 24.

"Our seniors stabilized us," Hardaway said. "Our freshman were being freshman tonight.

"We turned them over 26 times and that is what we have to do now to win."

Memphis led 46-31 at the half behind Davenport and Martin and a defense that forced 15 of those turnovers.

Davenport scored 17 points in the opening 20 minutes and was active and aggressive around the rim. In addition to five first-half rebounds, he turned a steal near midcourt into a breakaway tomahawk slam.

Martin, a preseason first-team all-conference pick, had 14 points in the first half, including 10 in the opening five minutes.

The Tigers shot 45 percent in the first half and forced 15 Tennessee Tech turnovers. Memphis built 18-point cushions on several occasions in the half.

Behind Martin and Davenport, the Tigers put together a 16-2 run midway through the first half to pull away. The run gave Memphis a 22-10 lead.

The Tigers play next at nationally ranked LSU Tuesday in Baton Rouge.

NOTABLES

Memphis won a home opener for the 11^th consecutive time.
With the victory in his debut, Tiger coach Penny Hardaway improved the record for Memphis coaches in their first game to 15-4.
Hardaway became the first former Tiger player to coach at Memphis since Larry Finch – Hardaway's college coach – made his debut during the 1986-87 season with a victory over Cleveland State.
Memphis played the first of three in-state opponents. The Tigers also have games against Tennessee (Dec. 15) and Tennessee State (Dec. 22).