RECAP: No. 16 Memphis survives scare against Louisiana Tech

The Tigers got a real run for their money, but still escaped FedExForum with a win.

No. 16 Memphis (7-1) endured a feisty effort from Louisiana Tech 81-71 Wednesday night. This was Memphis’ first action since last week’s Maui Invitational, and its first home game since Nov. 15. Penny Hardaway’s club next hosts Arkansas State on Sunday (3 p.m., ESPNU).

Memphis shot 43% from the field and 35% from 3-point range. The Tigers also outrebounded Louisiana Tech 39-26 while compiling 20 offensive boards, 20 forced turnovers, 31 points off said turnovers, 14 assists, 13 steals and 5 blocks. They led the Bulldogs for 33 minutes and 6 seconds while scoring 34 points in the paint.

Talvin Hester’s team (7-2) shot 51% on field goals and 57% on 3-pointers. Louisiana Tech also racked up 15 assists, 14 forced turnovers, 7 offensive rebounds, 7 blocks and 7 steals. This is the Bulldogs’ second consecutive loss after starting 7-0.

Here are some takeaways from Memphis’ narrow victory.

Louisiana Tech steals Memphis’ 3-point stroke

Memphis entered Wednesday’s game as the top perimeter shooting team in college basketball, but cooled off to a significant degree against Louisiana Tech’s defense.

The Tigers shot just 1-for-9 from the 3-point line in the first half. Tyrese Hunter, who shot 58.3% from deep in the Maui Invitational, missed all three of his tries in the period. PJ Haggerty finished the half 0-of-2 from beyond the arc. PJ Carter recorded the Tigers’ lone 3-pointer before halftime..

Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, took its turn to imitate the Golden State Warriors. The Bulldogs shot 62% from 3-point line in the first half, and made 4 of their last 5 attempts before intermission. Al Green led all scorers with 14 points on 4-for-5 perimeter shooting after the first 20 minutes. Amaree Abram, meanwhile, went to the locker room with 6 points and a 2-of-2 mark from deep.

The Bulldogs held a 38-37 halftime advantage.

Turnovers stack up on Louisiana Tech

Memphis’ defense didn’t have its best night, but it still generated tons of extra possessions.

The Tigers forced 9 Louisiana Tech turnovers in the game’s first 11 minutes, and scored 18 points off 14 turnovers in the first half. Bulldogs point guard Sean Newman Jr. committed 4 turnovers during the period, while forwards Devin Ree and Daniel Batcho combined for 5 more in that span.

Memphis dealt 4 giveaways in the first four minutes and and 28 seconds, but went to the locker room with just 8.

Memphis wins despite blowing 11-point lead in the second half

Memphis looked like it was turning the tide after halftime.

The Tigers outscored Louisiana Tech 22-12 and took an 11-point lead in the first nine minutes of the second half, but the Bulldogs had one last gasp.

Hester’s team reeled off a 13-2 run in less than four minutes, which re-knotted the score at 63 apiece with 7:08 on the clock. Memphis also went nearly six minutes without a field goal until a Dain Dainja layup put the Tigers up 67-63 at the 4:36 mark. Nick Jourdain and Hunter then extended to 72-63 with a 5-point possession less than a minute later.

A Colby Rogers 3-pointer with 55 ticks remaining officially put the game out of reach.

Haggerty led Memphis with 23 points, 7 steals, 6 assists and 5 rebounds while shooting 12-for-12 on free throws. Hunter finished the game with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Rogers recorded 13 points, 2 steals and a block, while Jourdain had 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal.