RECAP: Memphis shakes off sloppy start to edge UNLV

The Tigers didn’t make things easy once again, but they still managed to leave Las Vegas with a win.

Memphis basketball passed its first road test of the 2024-25 season in a 80-74 victory over UNLV inside the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday. Penny Hardaway and Co. have now started 2-0 for the second year in a row. The Tigers return to FedExForum for a matchup with Ohio on Friday (7 p.m., ESPN+), which will be their final home game until Dec. 4.

Memphis shot 52% from the field and 35% from 3-point range. The Tigers also outrebounded UNLV 39-33 while recording 17 assists, 10 forced turnovers, 8 offensive boards, 4 steals and 3 blocks. They scored 36 points in the paint compared to 24 for the Rebels.

Kevin Kruger’s team shot 40% overall and 36% from beyond the arc. UNLV also recorded 13 forced turnovers, 12 assists, 10 steals, 10 offensive rebounds and 4 blocks. The Runnin’ Rebels lost the game despite leading for 25 minutes and 54 seconds.

Here are some takeaways from Memphis’ victory.

Bad offense holds Memphis back early

Memphis just hasn’t been able to start games on the right foot so far.

The Tigers put on another terrible offensive display for most of the first half, shooting 32% from the field and hitting just one 3-pointer in nine attempts. UNLV took advantage of Memphis’ rough start with a 12-1 run to take a 29-17 lead with 4:17 left in the opening period.

Hardaway’s club responded with a run of its own, however, outscoring the Rebels 13-5 to end the half. PJ Haggerty led all scorers with 13 points on 50% shooting at the break. Colby Rogers also chipped in 9 points, but no other Tiger went to the locker room with more than 5.

Dedan Thomas Jr. gives Memphis trouble

Thomas—a 6-foot-1 guard—had an impressive freshman season for UNLV last year, and he put his full talents on display against the Tigers too.

Thomas seemed locked in from the opening tip, leading the Rebels with 11 points on 3-for-7 shooting in the first half. He also went into the locker room with a steal, which was one of Memphis’ 8 turnovers in the opening period.

Thomas’ scoring didn’t stop in the second half. The Las Vegas native dropped 11 more points while shooting 3-for-6 overall in the final 20 minutes. He ultimately led UNLV with 22. Jalen Hill and Jailen Bedford also contributed 14 and 10 points respectively.

Memphis wins second-half shootout

Memphis’ 3-point shooting improved significantly in the second half.

The Tigers shot 5-for-8 from beyond the arc in the final period. Tyrese Hunter hit two of those after not scoring in the first half. Rogers, Nick Jourdain and Baraka Okojie hit the other three.

Memphis also started the second half shooting 8-for-12 overall. The problem, however, is that UNLV did too. The Tigers and Rebels went back and forth for the entire second half, but a Dain Dainja dunk finally put Memphis in front for the first time since the 13:49 mark in the first half.

The Rebels later retook the lead with 3:25 to play, but Memphis then pulled away with a 7-0 run and UNLV never closed the gap.

Haggerty finished with a game-high 29 points on 10-for-18 shooting. Rogers scored 16, and Jourdain had 12 while shooting 5-for-5 from the field. Dainja stuffed the box score with 9 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and a block.

The Tigers shot 71.4% from the field in the second half.