The University of Memphis Tigers fell to No. 8 Cincinnati on Saturday 62-48. The Tigers are now 13-8 and one of four teams with a 4-4 record in the American Athletic Conference.
The Tigers played in front of an announced attendance of 12,223, the largest this season. Those in attendance included former Tiger guard, Penny Hardaway, Memphis women’s basketball coach, Melissa McFerrin and sought after Cordova point guard, Tyler Harris.
“Most nights, we have our loyal fans that come here,” Jeremiah Martin said after the game. “But the atmosphere was great, and I feel like it helped us. It was that sixth defender on the court with us. I feel like if we had a crowd like that moving forward, I don’t think we would lose another game at home.”
Although Memphis kept the Bearcats from scoring on their first possession, Cincinnati started out on a 6-0 run off of three Tiger turnovers. After a layup from Kareem Brewton Jr. and two back-to-back layups from Martin, the Tigers made it 8-7 with 14:42 left in the first half. The Bearcats kept Memphis from scoring away from the free throw line for nearly four minutes. The Bearcats went on a 12-0 run to pull their lead to 33-14 with 4:16 to play in the first half. The Tigers went into the first half down 34-21.
In the first half, the Tigers struggled scoring at 29.2 percent. The Bearcats were able to score at 44.8 percent. The Bearcats also had 4 from deep, while the Tigers were just able to get one from beyond the arc.
The Tigers came out strong in the second half. The Tigers went on a 6-0 run to bring the game to 28-34. After a jumper by Jacob Evans, one free throw from Brewton Jr and a three from Jimario Rivers, the Tigers came within four. With 11:57 to play, the Tigers had cut the Bearcats lead 36-32.
In the next four and half minutes, Cincinnati outscored Memphis 15-2. It was 51-34, but the Tigers were not done. The Tigers scored 10 points and allowed the Bearcats just three points in the next to close out the game.
The Bearcats had eight more rebounds than the Tigers. The Bearcats shot 12 percent better than the Tigers and 27.8 percent better from beyond the arc.
The Tigers also had positive numbers. Both Martin and Brewton Jr scored in double figures and had a combined five steals. Kevin Davenport had 10 rebounds. The Tigers forced 15 turnovers. But, the Tigers struggled at the free-throw line and went 17-29.
The Tigers will head on the road this week to face South Florida and East Carolina. The Tigers struggle on the road and are 1-6 outside FedExForum.
“(We must) come out stronger like we did in the second half, really attack the glass and really stay focused and stay together,” Davenport said. “I thought we did that today. While we were losing instead of fussing at each other, we stayed together and that’s how we were able to cut it back down. We have got to keep it that way from the get-go.”
Tubby Smith talks to his team from the sideline against Cincinnati. This is Smith's second season as Memphis' head coach
Kyvon Davenport defends Gary Clark. Clark led Cincinnati in scoring with 18 points against Memphis.
