University of Memphis Athletics
Tuesday, February 6
Memphis, Tenn.
8 PM
University of Memphis
14-10, 5-6American
65
vs
85
Wichita State
18-5, 8-3American
1
2
F
Wichita State
40
45
85
Memphis
29
36
65
David Nickelberry, Raynere Thornton and Victor Enoh were key contributors off the bench.
Photo by: Joe Murphy
No. 22 Wichita State defeats Tigers, 85-65
Feb 06, 2018 | Men's Basketball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Starting point guard Jeremiah Martin scored 16 points and the University of Memphis reserves combined for 40 points – a season-high – but it wasn't enough against No. 22 Wichita State.
The Shockers got 22 points from Austin Reaves and 20 from Landry Shamet in an 85-65 American Athletic Conference victory Tuesday night over the Tigers. Wichita State, a league newcomer, was playing in Memphis for the first time in nearly 35 years.
The Shockers (18-5, 8-3 American) also benefited from a distinct advantage (39-28) on the boards. Wichita State entered the game ranked third nationally in rebounding margin (+10.5). The Shockers outrebounded an opponent for the 22nd time this season.
While the Tigers (14-10, 5-6 American) dropped their second straight and fourth in five games, Memphis coach Tubby Smith was encouraged by the production of his bench. Kareem Brewton Jr., led the reserves with 12 points, four assists and two steals and Raynere Thornton added 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and four rebounds.
Also, freshman David Nickelberry finished with eight points and four rebounds, his best outing since a 14-point effort against Loyola (Md.) in late December.
"We had our chances," Smith said. "Our bench was outstanding – Karim Azab, David Nickelberry, Kareem Brewton, Raynere – just outstanding."
Trailing by 11 at the half, the Tigers fell behind by 13 early in the second half. But they rallied, behind their reserves, to trim the deficit to five points (51-46) with 10:32 to go following an 11-3 run. The last eight points of the run came from a Thornton fast-break basket, two Brewton free throws, a Victor Enoh slam (on a pass from Brewton) and a strong drive by Nickelberry.
Wichita State quickly regrouped and a few minutes later the Shockers scored on 11 straight possessions to take an 83-56 advantage with 1:12 remaining. The Shockers shot 54 percent (14-of-26) in the second half and finished with 11 3-pointers.
"It's just going to take us a little longer to understand that against good teams you can't make mistakes," Smith said. "You make mistakes and don't execute (and) they'll burn you for it. We've got to bounce back and respond the right way."
Despite getting 23 points from their bench in the first half, the Tigers trailed the Shockers, 40-29.
Memphis shot 43.5 percent in the opening 20 minutes, but took 15 fewer shots and was outrebounded, 25-14. Wichita State also scored 17 second-chance points. The Tigers had two.
The Tigers were hampered by starting forward Kyvon Davenport's early foul trouble. He played only three minutes in the first half after picking up his second foul at the 16:46 mark. Davenport entered the game having had back-to-back double-doubles and three in his past four games.
The Tigers will remain at home for their next conference game. The U of M will play host to UCF at 3 p.m. Sunday at FedExForum.
NOTABLES
The Shockers got 22 points from Austin Reaves and 20 from Landry Shamet in an 85-65 American Athletic Conference victory Tuesday night over the Tigers. Wichita State, a league newcomer, was playing in Memphis for the first time in nearly 35 years.
The Shockers (18-5, 8-3 American) also benefited from a distinct advantage (39-28) on the boards. Wichita State entered the game ranked third nationally in rebounding margin (+10.5). The Shockers outrebounded an opponent for the 22nd time this season.
While the Tigers (14-10, 5-6 American) dropped their second straight and fourth in five games, Memphis coach Tubby Smith was encouraged by the production of his bench. Kareem Brewton Jr., led the reserves with 12 points, four assists and two steals and Raynere Thornton added 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and four rebounds.
Also, freshman David Nickelberry finished with eight points and four rebounds, his best outing since a 14-point effort against Loyola (Md.) in late December.
"We had our chances," Smith said. "Our bench was outstanding – Karim Azab, David Nickelberry, Kareem Brewton, Raynere – just outstanding."
Trailing by 11 at the half, the Tigers fell behind by 13 early in the second half. But they rallied, behind their reserves, to trim the deficit to five points (51-46) with 10:32 to go following an 11-3 run. The last eight points of the run came from a Thornton fast-break basket, two Brewton free throws, a Victor Enoh slam (on a pass from Brewton) and a strong drive by Nickelberry.
Wichita State quickly regrouped and a few minutes later the Shockers scored on 11 straight possessions to take an 83-56 advantage with 1:12 remaining. The Shockers shot 54 percent (14-of-26) in the second half and finished with 11 3-pointers.
"It's just going to take us a little longer to understand that against good teams you can't make mistakes," Smith said. "You make mistakes and don't execute (and) they'll burn you for it. We've got to bounce back and respond the right way."
Despite getting 23 points from their bench in the first half, the Tigers trailed the Shockers, 40-29.
Memphis shot 43.5 percent in the opening 20 minutes, but took 15 fewer shots and was outrebounded, 25-14. Wichita State also scored 17 second-chance points. The Tigers had two.
The Tigers were hampered by starting forward Kyvon Davenport's early foul trouble. He played only three minutes in the first half after picking up his second foul at the 16:46 mark. Davenport entered the game having had back-to-back double-doubles and three in his past four games.
The Tigers will remain at home for their next conference game. The U of M will play host to UCF at 3 p.m. Sunday at FedExForum.
NOTABLES
- Karim Sameh Azab played 11 minutes in the first half, a total that tied his season high. Azab finished with a season-high 17 minutes.
- Jeremiah Martin was held to only four first-half points. It was his lowest first-half output since scoring three Jan. 31 at UCF.
- Wichita State entered the game averaging 19 assists per game (third nationally). The Shockers finished with 18
Team Stats
WST
MEM
FG%
.422
.444
3FG%
.355
.154
FT%
.769
.742
RB
39
28
TO
8
18
STL
9
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
12
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
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