Tigers Stunned by Owls Inside FedExForum

Wednesday, January 31

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

15-6,4-4AAC

Rice

8-13,2-6AAC

Rice

Memphis

Jan 31, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis men's basketball team's winning drought continued Wednesday night, dropping an American Athletic Conference matchup to Rice, 74-71, inside FedExForum in Memphis.

The Tigers (15-6, 4-4 AAC) shot just 16.7-percent (3-for-18) from three-point range in the loss and came up just short on a desperation half-court heave by Nae'Qwan Tomlin at the buzzer. The Owls (8-13, 2-6 AAC) shot 49-percent overall in the win including 10-of-21 from distance, led by Mekhi Mason (17 points).

The loss marked the fourth straight for the Tigers with all of them coming in conference play and three coming by three or fewer points. David Jones' 18 points led Memphis offensively while Tomlin chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds. Turnovers were again a problem for the Tigers, giving the ball away 16 times to the Owls in the contest.

After Memphis went in front 1-0 less than a minute into the contest, the Tigers never led again until a triple from Jones with 4:16 remaining put them in front 59-58.

Memphis pushed its lead to three points on three different occasions until Rice's Travis Evee nailed back-to-back long balls and Keanu Dawes connected on a pair of free throws to give the Owls a 70-65 lead with 28 seconds on the clock.

Rice continued to knock down its charity attempts before Tomlin's shot at the buzzer clanked off the rim, sealing the defeat.

The Owls had four players in double figures, led by Mason (17) and Dawes (15).

Memphis shot 41.7 percent (25-60) in the loss and went 18-of-21 at the free throw line (85.7 percent). The three 3-pointers made (3-18) tied a season low set at Ole Miss on December 2.

UP NEXT
Memphis continues its two-game homestand Saturday when Wichita State comes to town for a noon showdown on CBS. The Tigers will then head to Philadelphia to take on Temple next Thursday (Feb. 8) at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

POSTGAME NOTES

Memphis used the starting lineup of Jaykwon Walton, David Jones, Jonathan Pierre, Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Malcolm Dandridge for the first time this season.
- It is the fourth different lineup for the Tigers this season.
Memphis trailed 33-22 at the half after making just 8-of-23 field goals (34.8%) and going 0-for-8 from long distance.
- The 22 points were the 2^nd-fewest in a half this season after scoring just 16 in the first half against Villanova in the Bahamas. Six of the points came at the free throw line.
Rice became the 12^th team this season to hit 10-plus three-pointers against the Tigers.
- Memphis has allowed double-digit threes in five of the last six games.
Memphis outscored Rice 40-26 in the paint and 17-5 in second-chance points.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin scored in double figures for the sixth time in 10 games.
- His eight rebounds were his second-most of the season.
David Jones finished with a game-high 18 points, five rebounds and four steals.
- He's reached 18-plus points in 15 of the 21 games and has led the team in scoring 17 times.
Malcolm Dandridge continued his hot streak with 14 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 24 minutes.
- He shot 6-10 from the floor and scored 10 of his points in the second half.
- The big man is averaging 15.0 points over his last three games.
Jaykwon Walton finished with 12 points, two assists and two steals in 28 minutes.
- He led the team with a 7-for-8 night at the free throw line.
Jahvon Quinerly recorded eight points, a game-high six assists and five rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.
Jonathan Pierre earned his first-career start as a Tiger, playing seven minutes.
The Tigers outrebounded the Owls 35-30, including a 15-10 edge on the offensive end.
Memphis led for just 3:12 in a game that featured only three lead changes and one tie.

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