Memphis Handles New Orleans, 86-70, Behind Balanced Scoring Effort

Wednesday, December 3

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

3-4,0-0American

New Orleans

2-6,0-0Southland

New Orleans

Memphis

Memphis Handles New Orleans, 86-70, Behind Balanced Scoring Effort

Dec 03, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis men's basketball delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Wednesday night, cruising to an 86-70 win over New Orleans at FedExForum. The Tigers (3-4) controlled the game from start to finish for the second consecutive outing, at one point stretching their lead to 25 points to secure back-to-back victories.

The win marked head coach Penny Hardaway's 158^th-career victory, tying him with Dana Kirk for fifth in program history.

With a fifth different starting lineup this season, the Tigers set the tone with their most explosive opening half of the year. Memphis poured in 48 points before the break, fueled by a 59.4-percent shooting clip and 50-percent accuracy from deep. Both marks were season bests for any half, as were the 19 made field goals and eight three-pointers. By halftime, the Tigers had built a 20-point cushion (48-28), their largest of the season.

A fast start from Julius Thedford helped create that separation. The sophomore guard drilled his first four shots and knocked down a season-high three triples, scoring 11 of the Tigers' first 13 points. He would later exit the game with 13 points and three rebounds.

Even with the limited rotation, Memphis showcased its depth. Quante Berry delivered a team-high 17 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting (3-of-4 from three), while Simon Majok, Dug McDaniel, Zach Davis and Sincere Parker all reached double figures. Davis pulled down a team-best nine rebounds, and McDaniel recorded a season-high 10 assists to go with 11 points for his first double-double as a Tiger. Memphis finished 49.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc while totaling 44 bench points.

After a three-pointer from UNO's Kedrick Osby tied the game at 10-10 with 16:25 left in the first half, Memphis erupted on a 27-8 run across the next 11 minutes, connecting on eight threes before halftime and never allowing New Orleans another tie or lead.

New Orleans (2-6) found offensive rhythm late, cutting the margin to 13 with 4:58 remaining behind a surge from TJ Cope, who scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the second half. The Privateers shot just 8-of-32 to open the game but closed making 15 of their final 26 attempts.

POSTGAME NOTES

Memphis opened with a starting lineup of Dug McDaniel, Julius Thedford, Hasan Abdul Hakim, William Whorton and Simon Majok.
- It marked the team's fifth different starting group this year, one more than Penny Hardaway's total from all last season.
Memphis improved to 11-0 all-time against New Orleans.
- The Tigers have now won 29 of their last 30 games against Southland Conference opponents.
- The matchup marked the first game for the Tigers against a SLC opponent since December 4, 2020 when they beat Central Arkansas (85-68).
Memphis outrebounded UNO 40-35, forced 13 turnovers that turned into 26 points, and outscored the Privateers 36-30 in the paint.
The Tigers, who entered the game leading the American with an average of 32.7 bench points per game, got 44 points Wednesday night from their reserves.
- Memphis has scored 94 points from the bench over the last two games.
Six Tigers scored double figures in a game for only the sixth time under Penny Hardaway.
- The last time Memphis did so was Jan. 14, 2024 against Wichita State.
Memphis has won 48 of its last 55 games at FedExForum and are now 97-15 at home under Hardaway over eight seasons.
The Tigers scored a season high 86 points in the win, improving Memphis to 86-11 under Hardaway when reaching 80-plus points.
Memphis dished out a season-high 21 assists against New Orleans and improved to 37-4 when recording 20 or more since 2018-19.
Quante Berry delivered his second 17-point outing of the season, matching his total from the opener against San Francisco.
- The Cleveland, Tennessee native was 7-of-8 from the floor and knocked down 3-of-4 from distance, while adding three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in only 19 minutes.
- The 17 points are tied for the fifth-most of his career.
Dug McDaniel recorded the third double-double of his career and the first of any Memphis Tiger this season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
- He was one assist shy of his career high.
- The Washington, D.C. product has recorded at least 10 points with five assists in six of the seven games this season.
Julius Thedford recorded his second-straight game in double figures, despite leaving the game after just 10 minutes of play.
- The sophomore guard totaled 13 points and connected on a season-high 3-of-4 from long range.
  - Thedford scored the first eight points for Memphis and 11 of the first 13.
Simon Majok had his best game of the season finishing with a season-high 13 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals.
- He started for the fourth-consecutive outing and played 26 minutes.
Sincere Parker added 11 points, three rebounds and three dimes in 20 minutes off the bench.
Zach Davis just missed the first double-double of his career with 10 points and nine rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.
- He and Arop Arop led the team with three offensive board apiece.
Arop Arop scored his first points as a Tiger, finishing with two points and four rebounds in seven minutes.

UP NEXT
Memphis begins a stretch of four-straight games against Power Conference opponents this Saturday when the Tigers play host to the Baylor Bears at 3:30 p.m. on CBS at 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.