Memphis’ Season Ends in 81-69 Loss to Tulane

Wednesday, March 11

Birmingham, Ala.

6:00 PM

University of Memphis

13-19,8-10American

No. 9 Tulane

18-14,8-10American

Tulane

Memphis

Mar 11, 2026 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Memphis' postseason hopes started behind before the ball was even tipped.

A technical foul assessed to the Tigers for failing to submit their starting lineup on time gave Tulane a free throw and a 1-0 lead before the clock ever began. It proved to be an ominous start to a night that ultimately ended Memphis' season.

The No. 8-seeded Tigers fell to No. 9 Tulane, 81-69, Wednesday night in the first round of the American Conference Championship at Legacy Arena, closing the book on Memphis' 2025-26 campaign.

For a brief stretch, it looked like the Tigers might summon the same late push that helped them escape New Orleans with an overtime win against the Green Wave just three days earlier.

Trailing 39-31 at halftime, Memphis opened the second half with energy. Quante Berry sparked an early surge and Zach Davis punctuated the run with a fast-break dunk that trimmed the deficit to two points, forcing Tulane head coach Ron Hunter to burn a timeout as the Tigers seized momentum.

But just as quickly as the door opened, it slammed shut.

Tulane leaned on second team All-Conference guard Rowan Brumbaugh, who once again tormented Memphis. After scoring 31 points in the teams' regular-season finale, Brumbaugh followed it with an even bigger performance, pouring in 35 points while controlling the game down the stretch.

The Green Wave slowly rebuilt separation before a 7-0 run midway through the second half pushed the lead to 17 points with under eight minutes remaining. Memphis never recovered.

The Tigers struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the night, shooting just 36 percent from the floor and 5-of-22 from beyond the arc. Turnovers and empty possessions prevented Memphis from sustaining any real comeback attempt.

Julius Thedford provided a bright spot off the bench, finishing with a team-high 13 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting night. Davis added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Curtis Givens III chipped in 10.

Still, Memphis spent most of the evening chasing Tulane after briefly taking a 24-23 lead late in the first half. A buzzer-beating three from Luke Rasmussen sent the Green Wave into the locker room with an eight-point cushion and the Tigers never fully regained control.

Tulane advances to face No. 5 seed Charlotte in Thursday's second round.

Memphis, meanwhile, exits the American Championship with a 13-19 record, its first losing season since 1999-2000.

POSTGAME NOTES

Starting Five: Memphis opened with a starting lineup of Dug McDaniel, Quante Berry, Curtis Givens III, Zach Davis and Thierno Sylla.
- It's the 18^th different lineup in 32 games this season for the Tigers.
Shooting: Memphis shot 36.1 percent from the field (22-of-61) and went 5-of-22 from the three-point line (22.7%) while knocking down 20-of-29 at the free-throw line (69.0%).
Turnovers: Memphis committed 12 turnovers and scored 15 points off Tulane's 10 miscues.
Defense: The Tigers allowed the Green Wave to shoot 35.5 percent overall (22-of-62).
- Memphis also recorded five steals and seven blocks.
Bench Production: The Tigers' bench scored a season low 19 points, while the Green Wave also got 19 from their reserves.
Rebounding: Memphis won the rebounding battle, 45-40, including a 16-15 edge on the offensive end.
Ball Movement: Memphis matched its season low with seven assists.
- All three instances with seven assists have come in the last eight outings.
Julius Thedford led the Tigers with 13 points, four rebounds and two steals in 15 minutes.
- He was a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor and 5-of-8 from the free throw line.
Zach Davis recorded 12 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 33 minutes.
- He scored all 12 of his points after halftime.
Dug McDaniel finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two dimes while playing the full 40 minutes.
Thierno Sylla added nine points, four boards and a career-high blocks.
Quante Berry recorded eight points and six rebounds, while Aaron Bradshaw contributed six points and four rebounds and Sincere Parker hauled in six boards.
Memphis had four players in double figures for the 11^th time this season

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.