Tigers finish Bahamas trip with a victory

Lester Quinones and the Tigers defeated Raw Talent Elite, 107-77, Sunday in The Bahamas

Aug 18, 2019 | Men's Basketball

Jeffries, Ellis help UofM go 4-0 on its 2019 foreign tour

By: Phil Stukenborg

VIDEO: Coach Hardaway Post-Game Interview | Game Highlights

NASSAU, Bahamas – The University of Memphis concluded its four-game Bahamas exhibition series Sunday the way it began on Wednesday: with a resounding victory against an overmatched Bahamian opponent.

The Tigers defeated Raw Talent Elite, 107-77, behind a balanced scoring attack that saw seven UofM players finish in double figures. Boogie Ellis and D.J. Jeffries led with 17 points apiece, Lance Thomas and Tyler Harris added 13 each, Jayden Hardaway scored 11 and Alex Lomax and Damion Baugh contributed 10 points apiece.

Jeffries and Baugh finished with double-doubles, Jeffries grabbing 12 boards and Baugh 11.

Memphis shot 49 percent and outrebounded Raw Talent Elite, 58-47. The Tigers, who went 4-0 on the trip, also dished out 26 assists.

Tiger coach Penny Hardaway called the foreign trip a success for all that was accomplished and how he was able to experiment.

"I got a lot out of this trip," he said. "(Different) units out on the floor. There were some guys that played really well together. There were some really fast units. Small units. Even a bigger unit.

"Also the camaraderie that (was built). These guys have gotten closer since they've gotten over here. Everything I wanted to get out of this trip we have gotten."

In the team's four wins over Bahamian teams, the Tigers won by 31, 75, 10 and 30 points. The 10-point win came against the Bahamian National Team, coached by Golden State Warriors' assistant Chris DeMarco. The UofM played the exhibition series without 7-foot-1 center James Wiseman, the No. 1 recruit in the nation last year, who is recovering from a minor shoulder injury and 6-foot-9 forward Precious Achiuwa, a 5-star recruit who was unable to make the trip because of visa issues.

An early morning tip (10 a.m. local time) may have contributed to a slow start by the Tigers, but they recovered to erase a six-point deficit in the first quarter. Memphis outscored RTE, 32-10, in the second quarter to build a comfortable halftime lead (62-41) and was not threatened in the second half.

Jeffries and Baugh posted their second double-doubles of the series. Jeffries averaged 18.5 points and 9.2 rebounds in The Bahamas, while Baugh established himself as a team leader with his toughness.

"It was a good learning experience," Jeffries said. "We have a lot to build on, but we went 4-0. I wouldn't say we're satisfied, but we did OK."

Thomas also said the team benefited from the trip, getting to know one another better during the week-long mix of basketball and fun in The Bahamas. He was competing for the first since sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer guidelines

"Overall, it was a success because you bond off the court and you learn about each other on the court," Thomas said. "It was so fun being out there and competing. And I'll remember going 4-0 and this being the start of something special."