Tigers drop close decision at UConn

Sunday, February 16

Hartford, Conn.

2 PM

University of Memphis

17-8,6-6AAC

UConn

14-11,5-7AAC

Memphis

UConn

Photo by: David Butler / USATSI

Feb 16, 2020 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Gamebook (UC 64, UM 61)Memphis Season Statistics (Overall)Memphis Season Statistics (AAC Only)

Huskies rally down the stretch to hand the UofM a 64-61 defeat

By: Phil Stukenborg

HARTFORD, Conn. – Precious Achiuwa had 16 points and 13 rebounds – his 14^th double-double of the season – and Tyler Harris added 16 points – including four 3-pointers – but their contributions weren't enough Sunday.

In an American Athletic Conference game at the XL Center, the Tigers limited UConn to 32 percent shooting, but were unable to "out-tough" the Huskies, according to Tigers coach Penny Hardaway.

The Huskies used 18 offensive rebounds to score 17 second-chance points and made 12 of 13 free throws down the stretch to post a 64-61 victory over the Tigers (17-8, 6-6 American). UConn (14-11, 5-7) used 23 points from Christian Vital and 17 from James Bouknight to avenge a loss earlier this month at FedExForum.

Vital, one of the top free-throw shooters in the AAC, made each of his 10 free throws, including four straight in the final 10 seconds.

The Tigers lost their third straight, their longest such streak of the season.

"We've just got to learn how to finish," said Memphis coach Penny Hardaway. "We're a young team. We had our opportunities. We just didn't seize the moment."

The Tigers led by two with seven minutes to go and tied the game at 50 with 3:45 to go on a slam by Achiuwa and a free thow.

But they never led again.

"I'm telling my teammates they need to keep their heads up," Harris said. "I'm still believing in my teammates."

Tied at the half, Memphis opened the second half with a 3-pointer from Lance Thomas and a follow by Thomas off a Boogie Ellis miss for a 30-25 cushion.

It remained close. Brendan Adams nailed a 3-pointer to tie the game at 36 with about 13 minutes left. The Tigers promptly went on a 5-0 run, culminating in a Damion Baugh 3-pointer from the right corner for a 41-36 advantage with 12:29 remaining.

But the Huskies battled back behind a loud, sold-out crowd. Vital had a putback followed by a 3-pointer to tie the game at 41 with 10 minutes to go. The Tigers pushed back behind back-to-back 3-pointers from Harris for a 47-45 lead with under eight minutes left.

From that point, the Huskies put together a 13-5 run for a 58-52 advantage – their largest of the game – with 59 seconds left.

The Tigers didn't quit. They fought back and trailed by one (62-61) after Harris made a 3-pointer with 2 seconds to go. But Vital was fouled on the inbounds pass and made two free throws to seal the win. Tiger guard Alex Lomax's heave from the backcourt missed at the buzzer.

"We just haven't been able to close games the right way," Achiuwa said.

Neither team shot particularly well in the first half, which resulted in a 25-25 tie.

The Tigers held UConn to 27.8 percent shooting (10-of-36) and Vital and Bouknight combined to make only three of 18 field goals. The Huskies were 1-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc.

Memphis fared slightly better. The Tigers shot 36.4 percent, but went on a late first-half drought (1-of-11) to allow UConn to erase a six-point deficit (21-15) with 5:21 remaining. Achiuwa had seven points and seven rebounds at halftime, but went 3-of-9 from the field.

After the Huskies grabbed a 23-21 lead following an 8-0 run,Harris nailed a deep 3-pointer before Bouknight converted a layup.

The Tigers went into halftime time as Isaiah Maurice dropped in the front end of a 1-and-1 with 25 seconds left.

The Tigers were outrebounded 24-18 in the opening half.

Memphis returns home to begin a two-game homestand Wednesday against East Carolina. Tipoff is 6 p.m.

TIGERS NOTEBOOK

Memphis forward Precious Achiuwa posted his 16^th double-digit rebounding game of the season.
The Tigers finished with double-figure offensive rebounds for the first time in 10 games. Memphis had 14 offensive rebounds, the first time in double digits since Jan. 9 at Wichita State.