Tigers Pull Away from East Carolina for 71-54 Win

Thursday, January 27

Memphis, Tenn.

8 p.m.

University of Memphis

11-8,5-4AAC

East Carolina

11-8,2-5AAC

East Carolina

Memphis

Jan 27, 2022 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A strong second half powered the Memphis Tigers past East Carolina Thursday night at FedExForum, 71-54.

Memphis (11-8, 5-4 American Athletic Conference) used a 13-4 run to open a 45-36 lead after the Pirates tied the game at 32 at the start of the second half, and the Tigers led by double figures for the final 7:18 of the contest.

The Tigers were led by Lester Quinones' 17 points, including four 3-pointers. Josh Minott recorded a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Emoni Bates, Malcolm Dandridge and Earl Timberlake had eight points apiece. Timberlake also grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds and had five assists.

Eight Tigers played at least 19 minutes in the game.

Memphis held East Carolina to 26.4 percent shooting in the game (19-72), which is the second-lowest field goal percentage allowed by the Tigers this year behind North Carolina Central's 26.2 percent shooting on Nov. 13 (17-65).

Memphis ended the game shooting 42.1 percent from the field (24-57) and was 14-for-24 in the second half (.583).

East Carolina (11-8, 2-5 AAC) was led by Tristen Newton's 19 points.

UP NEXT
Memphis is back in action next Thursday, Feb. 3, at Cincinnati. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. The Tigers return to FedExForum on Saturday, Feb. 5 against UCF at 7 p.m. The game against UCF features a Larry Finch & Penny Hardaway Commemorative "Coaches Edition" Coin giveaway for the first 5,000 fans, presented by Regional One Health.

Tickets and mini plans for 2021-22 are available online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by phone at (901) 678-2331.

POSTGAME NOTES

Memphis used the starting lineup of Alex Lomax, Tyler Harris, Emoni Bates, Lester Quinones and Malcolm Dandridge for the first time this season.
- Memphis has used 14 different starting lineups in 19 games this season, which is the most in the nation.
Memphis has won seven of the last eight games against East Carolina and leads the all-time series between the two schools, 24-5.
- That includes a 14-1 advantage in games played in Memphis.
The Tigers have won 10 of their last 11 AAC home games.
Memphis won five games in January for the first time since also winning five games in January in the 2018-19 campaign.
Memphis grabbed 53 rebounds in the game, its most since also snagging 53 against Mississippi Valley State on Dec. 8, 2020.
Lester Quinones led the Tigers in scoring for the first time this season with 17 points.
- He matched his career high with four 3-pointers (5x, last vs. Colorado State, 3/27/21).
- The junior is 7-for-12 from behind the arc in the last two games (.583).
Josh Minott had 13 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
- The double-double is his second of the season, tying Jalen Duren for the team lead.
- Minott has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time this year and for the fifth time in the last eight games.
Earl Timberlake has four eight-rebound games and one 10-rebound game to his credit this year.
- Five different Tigers have had a 10-rebound game this year (Duren twice, Minott twice, Nolley II, Timberlake, Williams).
Chandler Lawson played 19 minutes and had six points, three rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals.
- Thursday's game was his second after missing 12 games due to injury.
Alex Lomax set a season high with seven rebounds.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.