Rice stuns the Tigers as Memphis loses a fourth straight AAC game
MEMPHIS — The Memphis Tigers have hit rock bottom.
Travis Evee hit back to back three-pointers in the closing minute to lead Rice to a 74-71 win over the U of M. The Owls handing the Tigers a fourth straight conference loss, dropping the U of M to 15-6.
This Memphis team was ranked 10th in the country just over two weeks ago. Now, they’re on the wrong side of the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Coming in leading the AAC in scoring at 85 points a game, the Tigers were held to just 22 points in the first half and went to the lockers down by 11.
David Jones led the U of M with 18 points and his 3-pointer at the four minute mark gave the Tigers their first lead since it was 1-0, but an 8-0 run late by the Owls proved to be the difference.
“It just seems like a huge disconnect with this group right now. I don’t, I can’t put my finger on it. Like a humongous disconnect and you can tell in our play,” said Tigers coach Penny Hardaway. “To me, when a game starts, it just feels like the energy isn’t there to go and win the game. It’s like surviving until another team gives up.”
“I don’t remember ever going through something like this as long as I’ve been in school. I’m telling the guys, stay off social media,” said Tigers guard Jahvon Quinerly. “Either we’re going to get tired of feeling like this and do something about it or it’s going to keep happening. I’m just hoping that we’re going to say enough is enough.”
Tigers host Wichita State on Saturday.
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