The Memphis Tigers defeated the Wichita State Shockers 112-86, thanks to a historic 3-point shooting performance.
Despite below freezing temperatures outside in Wichita, Memphis rode their hot shooting to a program record in three pointers in one game, making 19. The previous record was 16.
Wichita State and first year head coach Paul Mills entered the contest winless in AAC play, while the Tigers came in a perfect 3-0 in the conference.
Both teams started the game on fire. The first game stoppage occurred at the 12:52 mark, with Wichita leading 22-21.
Jaykwon Walton, who transferred to Memphis from Wichita State, came out on fire in his return game, scoring 8 points in the first 5 minutes.
The two teams continued to trade buckets throughout the first half, but the Tigers started to create some separation at the end of the half.
The Tigers pushed the lead to 6 on an alley-oop from Jahvon Quinerly to Nick Jourdain, but Wichita State hit a three to enter the half 49-46.
At the half, Jahvon Quinerly and Jaykwon Walton were both in double figures, while leading scorer David Jones had just 2 points for the Tigers.
Jones started the second half on a tear, scoring 15 points in less than 5 minutes. The Tigers quickly extended the lead to 13.
The offensive onslaught continued, and Jahvon Quinerly hit a 3 with 13:21 to go to push the score to 80-60.
In the first 6:39 of the second half, Memphis scored 31 points.
Wichita State made a push to cut the lead down to 16, but Nae’qwan Tomlin and Jahvon Quinerly promptly hit back-to-back threes to push the lead to 22.
Things got sloppy for a stretch with both teams missing threes and turning the ball over, and the Shockers cut the lead back to 16 with just over 4 minutes to play.
The Memphis defense tightened up and two more 3-pointers sealed the Tiger victory.
Penny Hardaway subbed out his starters with two minutes to go, and freshmen Ashton Hardaway and Carl Cherenfant each scored.
Memphis scored 63 points in the 2nd half and finished the game 19-30 from the three-point line.
After three tight contests to open conference play, the Tigers reminded the country of their offensive potential.
Six Tigers finished in double figures, led by Jahvon Quinerly, who had 23 points and 11 assists, and Jaykwon Walton, who put up 23 points against his former team.
Memphis improves to 15-2 on the season, and the Tigers will return home Thursday to face South Florida.
