Jones and Tomlin combined for 46 points, 19 rebounds and six steals to propel past Florida Atlantic. photo by Don Mooney
by Don Mooney
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After almost a year the University of Memphis men’s basketball team got its long-awaited revenge against Florida Atlantic Sunday afternoon following its 78-74 win. 345 days ago in the first round 2023 NCAA Tournament, the Tigers went blow-for-blow with the preseason favorite and media darling of the American Athletic Conference.
photo by Don Mooney
This afternoon Nae’Qwan Tomlin and David Jones made sure the outcome was different. Jones and Tomlin combined for 46 points, 19 rebounds and six steals. Jahvon Quinerly added 14 points and six assists, while Jaykwon Walton contributed 11 points, five boards and three steals.Florida Atlantic found buckets early, converting five of their first seven attempts.
Florida Atlantic center was a problem in the paint for Tigers. photo by Don Mooney
Goldin was particularly aggressive inside on his way to 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting, including two scores on putbacks. The Owls’ lead grew to as much as eight, thanks to two triples from senior guard Byran Greenlee, but the Tigers did not let them pull away. FAU held on to enter the locker room with a 31-30 lead.
Memphis (20-8, 9-6 AAC) trailed by as many as eight late in the first half, but a late run with nine-straight points from Tomlin and Quinerly, followed by a triple from Jones, the Tigers went into the locker room down just 31-30.
After an early surge in the second half put Memphis in front, the Tigers held on to an advantage that never got more than two-possessions until a 7-0 run pushed their lead to 73-63 with 3:36 remaining. The Owls cut it back to three points twice in the final minute, but free throws from Jones and Quinerly sealed the 78-74 victory.
The Tigers shot 43.7 percent (31-71) on the day and hit 11-of-16 at the stripe (68.8%). They held the Owls to 43.8 percent shooting (28-64) and limited them to just a 25-percent clip from distance (7-28).
Florida Atlantic (21-7, 11-4 AAC) was led by Vlad Goldin’s 22 points and eight rebounds, while Johnell Davis added 20 points and seven boards.
WHOSE NEXT
With two weeks left in the regular season, Memphis will hit the road for the first of its final two road contests with a trip to East Carolina on Thursday. The Tigers and Pirates will tip at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in Greenville, North Carolina. Memphis will then return to FedExForum for its home finale next Sunday when UAB comes to town for a 4:30 p.m. contest on ESPN2.