Tigers Take Down Owls in 78-74 Revenge Victory

Sunday, February 25

Memphis, Tenn.

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

20-8,9-6AAC

Florida Atlantic

21-7,11-4AAC

Fla. Atlantic

Memphis

Feb 25, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis men's basketball team got its long-awaited revenge against Florida Atlantic Sunday afternoon following its 78-74 win inside FedExForum.

After waiting 345 days since last meeting in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, the Tigers went blow-for-blow with the preseason favorite and media darling of the American Athletic Conference. Behind David Jones and Nae'Qwan Tomlin, they made sure the ending was different this time.

Jones and Tomlin combined for 46 points, 19 rebounds and six steals. Jahvon Quinerly added 14 points and six assists, while Jaykwon Walton contributed 11 points, five boards and three steals.

Memphis (20-8, 9-6 AAC) trailed by as many as eight late in the first half, but a late run with nine-straight points from Tomlin and Quinerly, followed by a triple from Jones, the Tigers went into the locker room down just 31-30.

After an early surge in the second half put Memphis in front, the Tigers held on to an advantage that never got more than two-possessions until a 7-0 run pushed their lead to 73-63 with 3:36 remaining. The Owls cut it back to three points twice in the final minute, but free throws from Jones and Quinerly sealed the 78-74 victory.

The Tigers shot 43.7 percent (31-71) on the day and hit 11-of-16 at the stripe (68.8%). They held the Owls to 43.8 percent shooting (28-64) and limited them to just a 25-percent clip from distance (7-28).

Florida Atlantic (21-7, 11-4 AAC) was led by Vlad Goldin's 22 points and eight rebounds, while Johnell Davis added 20 points and seven boards.

UP NEXT
With two weeks left in the regular season, Memphis will hit the road for the first of its final two road contests with a trip to East Carolina on Thursday. The Tigers and Pirates will tip at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in Greenville, North Carolina.

Memphis will then return to FedExForum for its home finale next Sunday when UAB comes to town for a 4:30 p.m. contest on ESPN2.

POSTGAME NOTES

Memphis used the starting lineup of Jahvon Quinerly, David Jones, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Nicholas Jourdain and Jaykwon Walton for the fourth time this season.
- The Tigers improved to 3-1 with that starting group.
- Memphis has used seven different starting lineups this season with four coming in the last eight games.
Under Penny Hardaway, Memphis improved to 80-12 at FedExForum.
Memphis improved to 2-1 all-time against the Owls, including a 2-0 mark at home.
The 71 field goal attempts were the second-most of the season for Memphis. It had 73 at Ole Miss.
The Tigers matched their season low with just six turnovers, two of which came in the final minute.
Memphis forced FAU into 13 turnovers and scored 18 points off those miscues.
The Tigers got outrebounded 40-38, but they grabbed 15 on the offensive end.
- Memphis scored a season-high 23 second-chance points.
- Tomlin and Jourdain combined for 11 of the 15 offensive boards.
David Jones grabbed his ninth double-double of the season with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
- He's recorded five double-doubles in the last six games.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin's 21 points are his most as a Tiger.
- The Harlem, New York native has scored in double figures eight times in the last nine outings after shooting 9-13 from the floor.
- He swiped a season-high three steals and swatted two blocks.
Jahvon Quinerly dished out a team-high six assists in 38 minutes of work.
- Memphis is 12-4 this season when he has at least five assists in a game.
Jaykwon Walton reached double figures for the 13^th time this season.
- He finished 5-9 shooting while grabbing five rebounds and three steals after being re-inserted back into the starting five.
Nicholas Jourdain totaled three points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the win.
- The eight boards were his second-most of the year.
- He led the Tigers with six offensive boards.
Memphis scored 30 points in the first half and 48 in the second.
The Tigers tied their season low with four bench points.
There were 14 lead changes and five ties in the game.
Memphis led for 19:39 of the game, while FAU was in front 17:47.

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.