University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
1-4,0-0American
Wake Forest
4-2,0-0ACC
Heartbreaker at the Buzzer for Memphis at Baha Mar Championship
Nov 21, 2025 | Men's Basketball
NASSAU, Bahamas - Less than 24 hours after pushing No. 1 Purdue to the brink, Memphis showed once again that its fight is real. The Tigers delivered another inspired, gritty performance Friday night, one that deserved a better ending, but fell 69-68 to Wake Forest on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the Baha Mar Hoops Championship consolation game.
Memphis (1-4) led for more than 32 minutes and controlled long stretches behind the brilliance of point guard Dug McDaniel, who followed up his standout game against Purdue with an even stronger showing. The senior poured in 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting, knocked down five 3-pointers, and added six assists and five rebounds, carrying the offense and igniting a 16-0 first-half run that built a 33-27 halftime lead.
For most of the night, Penny Hardaway's team dictated pace and responded to every Wake Forest push. The Tigers shot 41.1% from the field and a season-best 11-of-29 from deep, repeatedly generating quality looks and extra opportunities with 16 offensive rebounds. Zach Davis added 12 points and Julius Thedford provided a lift off the bench with nine points and five boards.
But despite the effort, the game swung in the final second. After McDaniel calmly knocked down two free throws to put Memphis ahead 68-66 with 1.5 seconds left, Wake Forest (4-2) connected on an off-balance, right-wing three from Myles Colvin as the horn sounded, a shot that stole the win and extended the Tigers' losing streak to four.
Wake Forest was led by Tre'Von Spillers' 24 points and Colvin's 19. The Demon Deacons hit nine threes and earned just enough at the free-throw line to stay within striking distance before the final heave.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Memphis used the same starting lineup in back-to-back games: Dug McDaniel, Zach Davis, Ashton Hardaway, Aaron Bradshaw and Simon Majok.
- It was just the second time this season that Memphis has used the same starting five in consecutive games.
- Senior point guard Dug McDaniel delivered another season-high performance with 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes.
- He went 7-of-12 from the field and scored 14 of his points with four threes before halftime.
- Senior guard Zach Davis made his second-straight start and added 12 points, five rebounds and two triples.
- Sophomore Julius Thedford contributed nine points, five rebounds and two steals in 15 minutes off the bench.
- Sophomore forward William Whorton had his best game as a Tiger, coming off the bench for four points and a team-high six rebounds in nearly 18 minutes.
- Memphis posted 12 assists to 17 turnovers and got outscored 19-13 in second-chance points.
- The Tigers outrebounded the Deamon Deacons 37-36 overall and 16-15 on the offensive glass.
- The 1-4 start is Memphis' first since 1996-97.
UP NEXT
Memphis returns home after nearly a week in the Bahamas and will have a few days to reset before hosting Southern Illinois on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. inside FedExForum.
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.
