Memphis improved to 16-6 (6-3 AAC) after a win against East Carolina University 57-50. The Tigers struggled early, but had a strong second half to secure the victory.
With the Lawson brothers struggling to score the ball, Jimario Rivers led the way with 15 points. He performed well in both halves with eight points in the first and seven in the second.
While struggling offensively, the Tigers’ defense played well. Jeremiah Martin headed the defense with a team high six steals and three blocks.
The first half was a struggle for Memphis, shooting 7-28 (25 percent) from the field. The Tigers could not find success in a half court setting because of the size of Deng Riak, 6’10, and Andre Washington, 7’1.
Memphis came out in the second half and outscored the Pirates 38-38 after scoring just 19 points in the first. The Tigers found success attacking the rim and playing at a much faster pace. They forced ECU to commit 13 turnovers that led to Memphis scoring 12 points.
Rivers gave Memphis a 1-0 to start the game, but the Tigers would not take the lead back until the second half.
Although ECU struggled in the first half too, Kentrell Barkley led the way for the Pirates with nine of the team’s 22 points. He was 3-4 from the field and the free throw line. Barkley also grabbed eight boards in his impressive first half.
After being down 20-11 in the first half, the Tigers outscored ECU 8-2, including a 6-0 run, to finish the half down 3.
Rivers led the run with Memphis’ last four points of the half. K.J. and Craig Randall II had two each in the stretch.
The Tigers came out like a new team in the second half and outscored the Pirates 22-10 in the first eight minutes to go up 41-32. In that stretch, Markel Crawford tied the game up a pull up jumper, then put Memphis up by three with a three pointer on the next possession.
After the Tigers gained the nine-point lead, they then stretched the lead to 12, going up 52-40 on Craig Randall’s free throw.
Memphis then coasted to the 57-50 victory in the final five minutes.
K.J. had a rough offensive day with 12 points on 5-23 shooting, but he did collect 19 boards, seven offensive.
“It’s tough, it’s just grind it out basketball,” K.J. said. “I’ve never had a game like this, but I did get a double-double and got a win. That’s all that matters.”
Dedric had a poor offensive game too with eight points on 3-10 shooting, but he grabbed 14 rebounds. Washington’s defense in the post was a big reason that Dedric struggled to score.
“Shout out to him. He blocked a couple of my shots tonight,” Dedric said. “He’s a very skilled defensive player.”
After the game, Dedric highlighted how well the defense played during the win.
“It just showed that we are a defensive capable team that can get stops when we aren’t shooting well,” Dedric said. “Shout out to Jeremiah (Martin), the head of our defense.”
Head coach Tubby Smith had high praises for the Pirates after the win.
“We knew it would be a dog fight,” Smith said. “We knew they were one of the best defensive teams, not just in this league, but in this country.”
Jimario Rivers hits a floater with seconds left in the first half. He led the team with 15 points in the win against ECU.
K.J. Lawson finishes the fast break with the dunk. He had a game high 19 rebounds.
