The Memphis Tigers secured a good win at home against the Rice Owls 84-72. Dain Dainja and PJ Haggerty led the team in scoring, but the spark from Nicholas Jourdain sealed the win for the Tigers at home.
In the first half, the Tigers started off hot. Dain Dainja, coming off a double double against FAU, continued to score inside with the hook shot. Then Colby Rogers hit a mid-range bucket and PJ Haggerty got a fastbreak layup. The Tigers opened the game on a 10-2 run..
Rice would slowly cut the lead by getting to the free throw line early. Both teams were frustrated with the officiating, as both teams were in the bonus with more than 8 minutes left in the half.
Rice went on a run thanks to Kellen Amos hitting several shots inside. The game was an inside battle with both teams going in the post attacking the basket. Memphis pulled their lead back to 12 but were unable to maintain it.
Denver Aglin hit back to back threes for the Owls to cut the lead to six. Caden Powell followed them with a pair of free throws to cut the lead to just 4 points.
Memphis stopped the run with a Nicholas Jordain three. For the second consecutive game, Damarien Yates came in and made an impact for the Tigers, scoring 6 points and nabbing 2 rebounds.
The Tigers led at halftime 39-32.
To start the second half, Tyrese Hunter scored his first points with a three-point shot to give the Tigers a 10 point lead. Rice would answer back with a three pointer of their own.
Much like the first matchup against Rice, Memphis battled back and forth with the Owls. Late in the half the Owls tied the game at 70.
Memphis would go on a 14-2 run to close the game and win 84-72, thanks to Dain Dainja’s double double, 25 points and 10 rebounds, and a near double double by Nicholas Jourdain with 19 points and 9 rebounds.
Takeaways
Memphis started the game well and finished the game well, but they struggled to put the Owls away.
Coach Hardaway said the team’s resilience over many games is the key.
“It goes back to being up 28 games in a row,” said Hardaway. To give a ra-ra speech to get the guys ready to go for 28 games in a row.When we get out to a lead, the other team isn't going anywhere. We are the second best team in the conference. When you play us or UAB you're getting your best shot.”
His team out-rebounded Rice by 11 and added 7 steals and 7 blocks.
The Tigers still struggled to finish defensive plays. When Memphis gambled for steals, the Owls took advantage inside or from the three point line.
Dain Dainja said after the game he was motivated to make the plays on defense.
“We needed a few stops at the end of the game,” Dainja said. “I had to do a better job defensively.”
The biggest surprise of tonight's game was the scoring burst from Nicholas Jourdain. Jourdain said he wanted to improve his defensive rebounding and his offensive input.
“We added a new dynamic on offense,” Jourdain said. “It really fits my game and I was able to get more open shots. Putting my energy in defensive rebounding. I had to talk to the coach two days ago about my mindset. I applied that concept to take it to that next level. It was a shift in mindset–let me dominate the glass–let me box out–let no one box me out.”
The Tigers did not get much from the bench, as the second unit only scored 10 points.
Rice shot better than the Tigers from three. Memphis, who still ranks as one of the country’s top three-point shooting teams, has struggled from the arc in recent games.
What’s Next
The Tigers go on the road to Birmingham against UAB on Sunday. Coach Hardaway said the Tigers have a tough task against the Blazers in an AAC Rivalry of the top teams in the conference.
“When you get these rivalries there’s hatred and mutual respect with the players. Obviously me and Andy Kennedy are cool but that is what you want when you are expected to win,” said Hardaway. “It used to be us vs Houston, us vs Cincinnati, now the rivalry is where it is because we are the two teams picked to win the conference and this game could come down to who wins it.”
