Tigers Down Shockers to Get Back in Win Column

Saturday, February 3

Memphis, Tenn.

Noon

University of Memphis

16-6,5-4AAC

Wichita State

9-13,1-8AAC

Wichita St.

Memphis

Feb 03, 2024 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Behind big shots from two of its big dogs, the University of Memphis men's basketball team snapped a four-game losing skid with a 65-63 comeback win over Wichita State in an American Athletic Conference showdown Saturday afternoon inside FedExForum.

Jahvon Quinerly's clutch 3-pointer with 44 seconds left gave the Tigers their first lead of the day after trailing by 14 points late in the second half, but it was a midrange pull-up jumper from David Jones with 2.8 seconds remaining that sealed the victory and officially put Memphis (16-6, 5-4 AAC) back on the left side of the win column.

Wichita State (9-13, 1-8 AAC) led for nearly 38 minutes in the contest and held a 54-40 advantage after Dalen Ridgnal swished two free throws at the 7:55 mark. From that moment on, however, the Tigers kicked it into high gear and outscored the Shockers 25-9 the rest of the way.

Jones spearheaded the charge with 16 of his game-high 26 points during the run. He put up 11-straight points for the Tigers to bring them within two points with a minute left to play. Following a defensive stop and a rebound from Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway drew up the perfect play to put the ball in Quinerly's hands for the go-ahead triple, despite the fifth-year point guard going 0-for-12 from the floor until that moment. It was his only points of the day.

On the ensuing possession, the Tigers were whistled for a foul on the rebound and Ronnie DeGray III sank just 1-of-2 at the stripe to tie the game at 63 and set the stage for Jones' game-winner on the other end.

Memphis shot 24-of-64 from the field (37.5%) and 8-of-19 from long range (42%).

Wichita State was led by 19 points from Colby Rogers and 12 points from DeGray III. The Tigers held the Shockers to 35.6 percent from the floor (21-of-59) and 38.9 percent from distance (7-of-18).

Memphis has won eight-straight games against the Shockers and 10 of the last 11 meetings overall. Wichita State has not won in Memphis in its last six tries, since an 85-65 win on Feb. 6, 2018 when the Shockers were ranked 21st in the nation.

UP NEXT
The Tigers get ready to travel to Philadelphia Thursday to take on the Temple Owls at 6 p.m. CT. They will then return home to host Tulane on Super Bowl Sunday at 1 p.m.

POSTGAME NOTES

Memphis used the starting lineup of Jahvon Quinerly, David Jones, Jaykwon Walton, Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Malcolm Dandridge for the first time this season.
- It is the fifth different starting lineup for the Tigers this season.
Penny Hardaway improved to 10-1 all-time against Wichita State.
Memphis trailed 30-24 at the half after shooting 30.3 percent and turning the ball over nine times.
The 14-point deficit matched the largest the Tigers have overcome this season (14 at Missouri).
David Jones added six rebounds and three assists to his game-high 26 points. He shot 8-of-15 overall, 4-of-8 from deep and 6-of-6 at the stripe.
Jones recorded his 13^th game this season of 20-plus points.
Malcolm Dandridge was huge with 11 points, a team-high seven rebounds and two blocks.
- He's scored double figures in a career-best four consecutive games.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin drew his second start and finished in double figures with 10 points, six boards and two blocks.
- He played a season high 32 minutes while shooting 5-of-11 from the field.
Jahvon Quinerly scored just three points, but added six rebounds and a game-high eight dimes.
He played 33 minutes, the most on the Tigers.
Memphis' 37.5 field goal percentage was its second-lowest mark of the season.
- The win marked the first for the Tigers when shooting 37.5 percent or lower from the field since beating Houston (60-59) on Feb. 22, 2020.
- The Tigers are just 4-15 when shooting 37.5 percent or lower in six seasons under Penny Hardaway.
Memphis was outscored 26-7 off the bench.
- The seven points are a season low and the only time the Tigers have failed to score double figures from the bench this season.
The Tigers dished 14 assists to 12 turnovers and outscored the Shockers 28-26 in the paint.
There was just one lead change and two ties in the contest.
Wichita State led for 37:52, while the Tigers were in front for just :31 seconds.

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.