Key second-half run re-sets tone for Memphis in 75-61 win over UCF

Wednesday, February 3

Memphis, Tenn.

7 p.m.

University of Memphis

11-6,7-3AAC

UCF

4-9,2-8AAC

UCF

Memphis

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Key second-half run re-sets tone for Memphis in 75-61 win over UCF

Feb 03, 2021 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After UCF cut the Memphis lead to 42-38 with 13:30 left in the game, the Tigers went on an impressive 13-2 run to re-take control of the game en route to a 75-61 win over the Knights Wednesday night at FedExForum.

The win was Memphis' (11-6, 7-3 AAC) fifth in the last six games, with the only defeat coming by two points on the road at SMU last Thursday.

Memphis led by as many as 14 points in the first half, but the Knights (4-9, 2-8 AAC) chipped away and came within two possessions as the second half got underway. But the Tigers regrouped and put more distance between themselves and UCF by scoring 13 of the game's next 15 points.

During the run, Alex Lomax had six points, two assists, a steal, and a rebound, and Jayden Hardaway had a clutch and-1 and a steal. Memphis first scored eight-straight points and then five more in a row after a UCF jumper, and the Tiger lead quickly ballooned back to 55-40 with 9:48 left in the game.

From there, UCF got no closer than eight points, and the Tigers notched the win in their fifth game in the last 11 days.

Landers Nolley II recorded his first double-double as a Tiger with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Four of his rebounds came on the offensive end. He also had two steals and two blocked shots. D.J. Jeffries was also in double figures for Memphis with 11 points.

Moussa Cisse and Boogie Ellis had nine points apiece, and Alex Lomax ended the game with eight points and six assists.

All 10 Tigers who saw action in the contest scored.

Memphis shot 50.9 percent from the floor (28-55) and made 72.7 percent of its free throws (16-22).

After setting the American Athletic Conference single-game record with 20 steals Monday night against UCF, the Tigers had 13 more in Wednesday's game. Those steals came from nine different players.

Up Next
The Tigers wrap up the week against East Carolina on Saturday at 1 p.m. on either ESPN2 or ESPNU. The last game on Memphis' four-game homestand is Thursday, Feb. 11 against Cincinnati at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 or ESPNU.

A limited number of tickets are available for Memphis home games with social distancing safety guidelines in place. Tickets may be purchased online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by calling (901) 678-2331. Fans with existing season tickets or ticket packages can use their current tickets for upcoming games. More information can be found at www.GoTigersGo.com.

Postgame Notes

Memphis used the starting lineup of Boogie Ellis, Lester Quinones, Landers Nolley II, DeAndre Williams, and Moussa Cisse for the second-straight game.
- When it was used for the first time before Memphis' last game, it became the Tigers' eighth different starting lineup in the first 16 games.
The Tigers now lead the all-time series between the two schools, 26-6.
- UCF has still only won one time in Memphis, 68-64 on Feb. 11, 2018, with the Tigers holding an 18-1 advantage in games contested in The Bluff City.
Memphis has won five-straight games at FedExForum and is 8-1 at home this season.
The Tigers eclipsed the 50.0-percent mark from the floor for the fourth time in the last five games.
- Memphis had not hit that threshold in the first 12 games of the season.
Landers Nolley II had his first double-double as a Tiger with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
- The double-double was his fourth of his career, including his freshman season last year at Virginia Tech.
- His four offensive boards set a season high.
- Nolley II has led Memphis in scoring a team-high eight times this season.
- He has 12 double-digit scoring games in 17 played this year.
D.J. Jeffries ended the game in double-figure scoring for the first time in three games and second time in his last nine.
Alex Lomax had a team-high six assists.
- He now has had at least five assists in five of Memphis' last six games.