Tigers open play in Bahamas on a successful note

D.J. Jeffries led the Tigers with 21 points in Wednesday's exhibition win in The Bahamas.

Aug 14, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Jeffries and Thomas have impressive debuts in lopsided win

By: Phil Stukenborg

VIDEO: Coach Hardaway Post-Game Interview | Game Highlights

NASSAU, Bahamas – The University of Memphis opened play in its Bahamas exhibition series Wednesday in impressive fashion: a 114-83 victory over the Commonwealth Bank Giants that showcased several performances.

There was a game-leading 21 points and eight rebounds from freshman D.J. Jeffries.

There was 19 points and eight rebounds from Lance Thomas, who, like Jeffries, was making his debut in a Tigers' uniform.

Overall, there were 22 assists, 13 3-pointers, 51 percent shooting, 11 steals and a monstrous, one-handed driving dunk by freshman guard Damion Baugh – with 7:32 to go in the game – worthy of an ESPN Top 10 highlight.

It made for a festive opening before nearly 500 Tigers' fans at the Baha Mar Resort's packed New Providence Ballroom.

Minus the top two recruits from the 2019 recruiting class – Precious Achiuwa (who did not make the trip) and James Wiseman (recovering from an injury) – the Tigers pulled away from a 51-44 halftime lead by outccoring Commonwealth BG, 33-15, in the third quarter. Memphis hit five 3-pointers in the quarter and Baugh closed the period by converting a three-point play. FIBA rules (four quarters, 24-second shot clock) are being used in the series.

"Obviously, there are some small things we need to take care of, " Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said. "But overall – 114 points, upwards of 20 assists, and the energy we had and the way we shared the basketball was crazy."

In addition to the contributions of Jeffries and Thomas, the Tigers got 14 points from Lester Quinones (another freshman), 13 from sophomore guard Tyler Harris and 11 from Baugh. Harris had a team-leading six assists. D'Shon Taylor led the Giants with 30 points.

The Commonwealth Bank Giants had spent the early portion of this month playing college opposition, defeating Delaware and McNeese State and dropping games to Temple, Chattanooga and Murray State. But the Tigers had too many waves of players to send at the CB Giants, among them Jeffries and Thomas.

The duo had successful debuts in the series, despite some nervousness.

"I had to get out jitters," Jeffries said. "It was my first college game. I think we showed the potential of what we can be."

Thomas admitted he was "so jittery."

"I felt everyone could see it, but it was fun," Thomas said. "That fans came out of the country to see us play was mind-blowing."

The Tigers play their second game in the four-game series at 4 p.m. (CT) against The Bahamas National Team B.