The Memphis Tigers (7th-5, 3-2) eventually returned to FedExForum T.Thursday closet to host the Wichita State Shockers (8-4th, 4-2) in the their first home action since their victory over South Florida in December.
Points were tight in the first few minutes. Each side traded in ill-advised shots and turnoversWith Neither darken 35% shooting for that Period. The difference came at the three-dot lineThe Tigers knocked out six of their first nine attempts while the Shockers missed their first twelve. Even though Penny Hardaway’s group had coughed ten times in the first twenty minutes, they still led the group into break at 25:19on.
What everhe gave Hardaway notice during the Interruption seemed to vibrate. The Tiger offense exploded to start the second, its lead on as much as Sixteen. While the Shockers flirted with Manufacturing The score interesting again, reduce the deficit to nine, they were ultimately too bogged down by their own struggles on the offensive end and Memphis cruised to a much-needed 72-52 win.
“Total team win,” said Hardaway. “We looked like a basketball team for forty minutes tonight. I am proud of everything we’ve done I don’t want to say anything negative tonight because we got the most points the season. We had 22 assists, we beat them by 8, and we shot the ball well off the three-point and free-throw line so I’m happy. ”
The eleven threes of the tigers put up a new one Season high. Four players finished with double digitsincluding Landers Nolley, who picks up all scorers with 16 game points. For a crime that lasts way too many The result on Thursday evening was an encouraging sign that there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
“It took a long time, ”said Hardaway. “You have to understand, we did thatr. The boys had the opportunity to see the fruits of their labor. ThYou have worked so hard in practice I was able to get to that point and tonight was great. “
The real History of the second half, however, was the game of first year Center Moussa Cisse. In spite of to fight on this end of the soil so far this season, Cisse dominant Reminded everyone why he was so touted as a high school prospect a year ago. The student in the first year scored all twelve of his points in the second half and threw down several wild dunks in quick succession when the tigers arrived What is probably their best half of the game throughout the season.
“It felt good,” said Cisse. “I’ve had problems in the last couple of games. Finally I found the touch. I’ve worked hard and it‘s begin to show. ”
After several games have been postponed in the past few weeks, the Tigers will now adjust to a crucial part of their schedule where they will play five conference games in eleven days. Despite their preseason flounder, the team that showed up Thursday night has a legitimate chance of making some noise at the American Athletic Conference if they can replicate that type of performance on a consistent basis.
First for Memphis will be a road date in East Carolina this Sunday. Tip in Greenville is set for 2 p.m.
