Tigers post 2nd lopsided win in Bahamas

Jayden Hardaway finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds in the Tigers' 135-60 victory Thursday.

Photo by: John Marc Nutt

Aug 15, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Maurice and Baugh lead UofM effort with double-doubles

By: Phil Stukenborg

VIDEO: Coach Hardaway Post-Game Interview | Game Highlights

NASSAU, Bahamas – D.J. Jeffries scored 22 points and teammates Isaiah Maurice and Damion Baugh added double-doubles as the University of Memphis overwhelmed its overmatched opponent Thursday in the Bahamas.

The Tigers – playing the second of four exhibition games in the Bahamas at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar resort – defeated the Bahamas National B Team, 135-60, before another large crowd in the New Providence Ballroom. More than 500 fans, or standing-room only, filled the convention center room for the second consecutive day.

While the opposition will be much more challenging Saturday when the Tigers resume play here against the Bahamas National team, Thursday's game was never close. The Tigers quickly built a 33-7 lead and held a 69-32 advantage at the half.
Eight players scored in double figures for the UofM, including Maurice with 21, Tyler Harris with 16 and Boogie Ellis with 15.

Tigers coach Penny Hardaway recognized several encouraging signs in the lopsided results, perhaps moreso than in Wednesday's 114-83 victory Commonwealth Bank.

"Our rotations were better, our half-court defense we go over every time we practice was much better, weakside (defense) was better," Hardaway said. "We did much better today."

The Tigers shot 54 percent – including 47 percent (17-of-36 from beyond the arc) – and outrebounded their opponent, 72-39.

"Our focus today was to challenge all the bigs to get 10-plus boards," said the 6-foot-10 Maurice.

Maurice did his part with 12 boards and Baugh – not a big – did better. He finished with a game-high 13 rebounds.

Baugh, a 6-foot-3 freshman guard whose driving, monstrous, one-handed slam Wednesday earned him ESPN Top 10 recognition, said Thursday's outing, as a team, was "about playing against ourselves and paying attention to details."

The Tigers will take a break from competition Friday and host a clinic for local youth, in addition to getting in another practice. Saturday's opponent – Bahamas Select National Team -- defeated Texas Tech, 63-57, Wednesday night.