Sign says it all as Tigers play of late indicate team turmoil spilling to the court. photo by Don Mooney
by Don Mooney
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A must win effort for the University of Memphis men’s basketball team including moments of stifling defense sunk Charlotte’s hot first-half Wednesday night at FedExForum, 76-52. Memphis (19-8, 8-6 American Athletic Conference) broke the game open early in the second half with an 11-4 run, then outscored the 49ers 13-2 over the final 6:33 to get the Tigers back on the winning track.
Aggressive play by All-American David Jones was limited after eye injury in second half. photo by Don Mooney
Starting the game by making eight of its first 10 field goals and four of five three-pointers, Charlotte Men’s Basketball’s hot shooting tapered off as Memphis (19-8, 8-6 AAC) would grab a 76-52 win over the Niners (17-9, 11-3) in Memphis, Tenn. Wednesday evening.
The Niners were held to a season-low 52 points, including 17 points in the second half, which was also a season-low. Following the hot shooting stretch that gave the Niners a 22-17 lead 10 minutes into the first half, Charlotte shot just 12-of-36 (33.3 percent) from the field and two-of-16 (12.5 percent) from deep.
Jahvon Quinerly addes key buckets in en route to 17 points, six assists. photo by Don Mooney
“We played a team tonight that was very desperate,” said Charlotte Head Coach Aaron Fearne about the Tigers. “There’s obviously been a lot of talk in the media about the way they’re playing, and who’s playing hard and who’s not playing hard, [they] came out and played really hard tonight. Got after us and we did not deal with that urgency that they displayed.”
The Tigers were led by Jahvon Quinerly’s 17 points, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Nae’Qwan Tomlin recorded 16 points and seven rebounds, and David Jones added 10 points and three boards in just 23 minutes. Six tigers played at least 20 minutes in the game.
Coach Penny drawing up second half strategy to pull out victory over Charlotte. photo by Don Mooney
Charlotte (17-9, 11-3 AAC) entered the game second in the conference standings after winning 11 of its previous 12 outings, but Memphis held the 49ers to their fewest points of the season. It was also the fewest points allowed by the Tigers since holding Stanford to 48 on November 27, 2022.
49-ers Igor Milicic placed outside pressure on Tiger defense in 1st half. by Don Mooney
Memphis ended the game shooting 50 percent from the field (26-52) and went 14-for-25 in the second half (.560). The 49ers were led by Igor Milicic Jr.’s 16 points.
UP NEXT
Memphis stays home for the most anticipated game of the year when Florida Atlantic invades the Bluff City Sunday for a 1 p.m. contest on ESPN. It will be the first meeting since last season’s NCAA Tournament when the Owls sent the Tigers home with a 66-65 loss in the first round.