Austin Nichols shoots a jumper against Stephen F. Austin. Nichols led Memphis with 16 points, but the Tigers fell 64-52 at FedExForum. (Photo By: David Minkin | Special to the Daily Helmsman)
The stands started to empty with around three minutes left to play, when it became clear the University of Memphis men’s basketball team did not have the firepower to catch Stephen F. Austin.
The Lumberjacks tamed the Tigers with stalwart defense and a clinical scheme on the offensive end, beating the Tigers 64-52 at FedExForum on Tuesday evening.
The Tigers bolted out in front early in the second half, but it all came crashing down once the Lumberjacks cranked up the pressure. None of Memphis’ guards could effectively initiate the Tigers’ offense without turning the ball over.
Memphis coach Josh Pastner focused the majority of his post-game press conference on the play of his backcourt.
“The whole season hinges on us finding point guard play,” Pastner said after the game. “We’ve got to find someone to get the job done for us from the point guard spot. I’ve been spoiled in my time here, whether it’s Willie Kemp or Elliott Williams, Joe Jackson or Chris Crawford, Michael Dixon and those guys who could get it going.”
The Tigers traded buckets with the Lumberjacks throughout the opening half, and the game entered the break knotted up 27.
SFA’s big men struggled to match the Tigers’ size and physicality in the paint. Forwards Austin Nichols and Shaq Goodwin paced the Tigers’ offense the first half, the pair finished with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
“I don’t know that a lot changed in the second half,” Goodwin said after the game. “I just think they made all of the timely plays, and grabbed the important rebounds. Credit to them, that was the difference in the game.”
The Lumberjacks’ surgical precision on the offensive end proved problematic for the Tigers’ defense – an area of concern since the first exhibition game against Christian Brothers. SFA employed a litany of ball screens each possession to free up its stable of lethal 3-point shooters.
On the glass, the Lumberjacks grabbed 37 rebounds to Memphis’ 33. The Tigers had trouble finishing defensive possessions, allowing 12 offensive rebounds from SFA. The struggles on the boards were uncharacteristic of the Blue and Gray, which usually dominates the rebounding battle.
“All of the motion they used on offense kind of put us out of position to rebound,” sophomore forward Nick King said after the game. “But they were the first ones to the ball tonight. We just have to bounce back next game.”
Goodwin and Nichols shot a combined 12-21 from the floor, compared to 9-33 (27 percent) from the rest of the team.
Nichols said the Tigers are still sorting some things out, but he and Pastner both said they believe Memphis will be a good team at the end of the year.
“We’re young and still have to figure things out and find our identity,” Nichols said after the game. “Then, we should be clicking much better.”
The Blue and Gray take the floor at FedExForum again on Saturday against Bradley at 8:30 p.m.
