Lomax leads Tigers past Bradley

Tuesday, December 3

Memphis, Tenn.

8 PM

University of Memphis

7-1,0-0AAC

Bradley

5-3,0-0MVC

Bradley

Memphis

Alex Lomax dropped in four free throws in the final three minutes against Bradley.

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Dec 03, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Gamebook (UM 71, BU 56)

Sophomore guard scores a career-high 17 points in 71-56 victory

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The youngest team in the nation, according to KenPom.com, used an infusion of experience off the bench to defeat Bradley Tuesday night at FedExForum.

Sophomore guard Alex Lomax scored a career-high 17 points and Tyler Harris, another second-year player, added 10 points in the University of Memphis' 71-56 victory. The 15^th-ranked Tigers also got double figures from freshmen Boogie Ellis (12) and D.J. Jeffries (10) and a career-high 14 rebounds and five blocks from freshman forward Precious Achiuwa.

But it was the steady play of Lomax that allowed the Tigers (7-1) to overcome 36 percent shooting and being outrebounded 55-47, including 23-10 on the offensive boards.

"This year he's coming in and playing his game and running the show," said Tigers coach Penny Hardaway.

Lomax scored 10 of his points in the first half, including several key baskets when Bradley (5-3) made a run shortly before halftime. In the second half, he hit 4-of-4 free throws in the final minutes to help the Tigers maintain a double-digit cushion. Bradley cut the Tigers' lead to 10 points (56-46) with 2:49 left before Lomax and Damion Baugh each made four free throws down the stretch.

"This was almost like a trap game with a really good Bradley team, a senior-laden team, with good guards," Hardaway said. "They were definitely capable of beating us.

"It was (an) ugly game for a while. We couldn't push away until the very end. But we went into the game to contain Darrell Brown (Bradley's leading scorer and Hardaway's godson) and Nate Kennell. We did an excellent job on those two guys."

Hardaway was disappointed in his team's inability to box out, take charges and win 50-50 balls.

"They won that," Hardaway said. "With the percentage they shot from 3-point range (9 percent on 2-of-23 shooting) and from the field (27 percent on 22-of-82 shooting), and for us to barely win, it's a little disappointing. But we'll definitely take the win at home."

The Tigers, up by 10 at the half, opened the second half by going on a 7-0 run for a 36-19 lead. Ellis had a 3-pointer during the run, while Bradley missed 10 straight shots to open the half.
"Give Memphis some credit," said Bradley coach Brian Wardle. "Their length bothers people at the rim, but we missed a lot of good looks. If you're going to beat a team on the road, you got to make some shots."

In the first half, neither team shot particularly well, but the Tigers grabbed a 29-19 advantage on the strength of slightly better shooting and the play of Lomax.

Bradley shot 25 percent (9-of-36) in the opening 20 minutes and missed each of its seven 3-pointers.

Memphis shot 35.5 percent (11-of-31) and made 2-of-10 from beyond the arc.

The Tigers built a 14-4 advantage midway through the first half before the Braves rallied to trim the margin to two points (16-14) after going on a 8-2 run. Lance Thomas answered with a 3-pointer, his first of the season, and Jeffries followed with a fast-break dunk off an assist from Thomas.

Lomax closed the half by scoring six of the UofM's last eight points in the final two minutes. Lomax scored on a spinner in the lane, two free throws and 10-foot jumper. Jeffries had the other two points during a closing 8-3 run on a pair of free throws.

The Tigers resume play on the road Saturday at UAB. Tip-off is 4:30 p.m. and the game will be carried by CBS Sports Network.

NOTES

The 17 points from Alex Lomax surpassed his previous career-high total of 14, which he scored in a home win last month against Ole Miss. He also made a career-best nine free throws against Bradley
Precious Achiuwa had a season-high 14 rebounds, two more than he recorded Nov. 20 against Little Rock.
Memphis native Darrell Brown Jr., the godson of Tigers' coach Penny Hardaway, had a difficult night for Bradley He made only 1-of-16 field goals and missed all eight of his 3-point attempts. He entered the game as Bradley's leading scorer at 14 points per game. He finished with four points.
Tiger freshman forward D.J. Jeffries had a season-high nine rebounds, five more than his previous best.
Hardaway said after the game that Florida transfer Isaiah Stokes, a 6-foot-8 forward from Memphis, had his waiver seeking immediate eligibility denied by the NCAA.