Saturday, December 21
Memphis, Tenn.
12 PM
University of Memphis
10-1,0-0AAC
77
vs
49
Jackson State
3-9,0-0SWAC
1
2
F
Jackson St.
28
21
49
Memphis
39
38
77
Precious Achiuwa finished with a team-high 20 points in a 77-49 win over Jackson State.
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Tigers end pre-Christmas schedule with holiday cheer
Dec 21, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Achiuwa, Jeffries combine for 33 points, 16 rebounds in win over Jackson State
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Precious Achiuwa scored 20 points and D.J. Jeffries added 13 to lead the University of Memphis to its eighth-straight win Saturday at FedExForum.
The 11th-ranked Tigers (10-1) defeated Jackson State, 77-49, by shooting 55.2 percent and outrebounding JSU, 43-30. A strong effort from the field and on the boards – Achiuwa led with nine rebounds, Jeffries had seven – allowed the UofM to overcome 28 turnovers, three shy of a school record.
Memphis committed 18 of its 28 turnovers in the first half.
While Tigers coach Penny Hardaway was disappointed with the abundance of turnovers, he also reflected on the team's impressive 10-1 start, which includes wins over Ole Miss, North Carolina State and Tennessee.
"To be 10-1 right now, with conference (play) right around the corner, to go on Christmas break being 10-1?" Hardaway said. "I'm very proud of that.
"Obviously, it was an ugly game because we had 28 turnovers. Other than our 3-point shooting (4-of-19) and turnovers, everything was beautiful and to get a win was a blessing."
The Tigers limited JSU (3-9) to 32.3 percent shooting, including 28.6 percent (8-of-28) in the second half, to aid their 28-point victory. The 10-1 start is the program's best since the 2007-08 season.
Ahead by 11 at the half, the Tigers never allowed JSU to get any closer. Late in the second half, the UofM built a 20-point lead following a four-point play by Tyler Harris, who drained a 3-pointer from the left corner and was fouled.
The biggest Memphis lead (28 points) came in the closing minute when reserve big man Malcolm Dandridge drove the length of the floor for a dunk.
Achiuwa narrowly missed his fifth double-double of the season. He made eight of nine field goals and was perfect on three free-throw attempts.
Achiuwa has been on a tear during the eight-game win streak with either double-figure rebound and/or scoring totals.
"It's just getting comfortable with the system," Achiuwa said. "I started slow the first couple of games (of the season), but I knew it would click eventually. The game is starting to slow down."
At halftime, the Tigers led 39-28 on the strength of their shooting and rebounding. Memphis shot 64.3 percent (18-of-28) and outrebounded JSU, 21-11. That combination allowed the UofM to overcome 18 first-half turnovers.
Memphis never trailed in the opening 20 minutes and built a 16-point lead (33-17) with 7:24 to go in the half. Achiuwa carried the UofM in the first half with 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting.
The Tigers couldn't pull away, victimized by their mistakes. JSU was able to trim its deficit to nine points (37-28) after Roland Griffin scored on a driving layup with 3:12 to go.
JSU shot 35.3 percent in the first half and committed 12 turnovers. JSU scored 14 points off Memphis turnovers in the half.
Memphis will take several days off for the holiday break and resume play next Saturday at home against New Orleans. Tip-off is 12:30 p.m.
NOTES
The 11th-ranked Tigers (10-1) defeated Jackson State, 77-49, by shooting 55.2 percent and outrebounding JSU, 43-30. A strong effort from the field and on the boards – Achiuwa led with nine rebounds, Jeffries had seven – allowed the UofM to overcome 28 turnovers, three shy of a school record.
Memphis committed 18 of its 28 turnovers in the first half.
While Tigers coach Penny Hardaway was disappointed with the abundance of turnovers, he also reflected on the team's impressive 10-1 start, which includes wins over Ole Miss, North Carolina State and Tennessee.
"To be 10-1 right now, with conference (play) right around the corner, to go on Christmas break being 10-1?" Hardaway said. "I'm very proud of that.
"Obviously, it was an ugly game because we had 28 turnovers. Other than our 3-point shooting (4-of-19) and turnovers, everything was beautiful and to get a win was a blessing."
The Tigers limited JSU (3-9) to 32.3 percent shooting, including 28.6 percent (8-of-28) in the second half, to aid their 28-point victory. The 10-1 start is the program's best since the 2007-08 season.
Ahead by 11 at the half, the Tigers never allowed JSU to get any closer. Late in the second half, the UofM built a 20-point lead following a four-point play by Tyler Harris, who drained a 3-pointer from the left corner and was fouled.
The biggest Memphis lead (28 points) came in the closing minute when reserve big man Malcolm Dandridge drove the length of the floor for a dunk.
Achiuwa narrowly missed his fifth double-double of the season. He made eight of nine field goals and was perfect on three free-throw attempts.
Achiuwa has been on a tear during the eight-game win streak with either double-figure rebound and/or scoring totals.
"It's just getting comfortable with the system," Achiuwa said. "I started slow the first couple of games (of the season), but I knew it would click eventually. The game is starting to slow down."
At halftime, the Tigers led 39-28 on the strength of their shooting and rebounding. Memphis shot 64.3 percent (18-of-28) and outrebounded JSU, 21-11. That combination allowed the UofM to overcome 18 first-half turnovers.
Memphis never trailed in the opening 20 minutes and built a 16-point lead (33-17) with 7:24 to go in the half. Achiuwa carried the UofM in the first half with 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting.
The Tigers couldn't pull away, victimized by their mistakes. JSU was able to trim its deficit to nine points (37-28) after Roland Griffin scored on a driving layup with 3:12 to go.
JSU shot 35.3 percent in the first half and committed 12 turnovers. JSU scored 14 points off Memphis turnovers in the half.
Memphis will take several days off for the holiday break and resume play next Saturday at home against New Orleans. Tip-off is 12:30 p.m.
NOTES
- UofM guard Alex Lomax continued his strong play off the bench. Lomax finished with six points, six assists and four steals in 22 minutes.
- Memphis big man Malcolm Dandridge played 19 minutes, his longest stint of the season, and finished with seven points and five rebounds. The points and rebounds were season highs for the freshman.
- Tigers starting forward Isaiah Maurice finished with four blocks to tie his career-high.
Team Stats
JSU
Mem
FG%
.323
.552
3FG%
.200
.211
FT%
.600
.643
RB
30
43
TO
25
28
STL
17
15
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F
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