RECAP: No. 24 Memphis overcomes turnover spree to best Wichita State

Memphis basketball did just enough to avoid disaster Thursday night.

The No. 24 Tigers (15-4, 5-1 AAC) defeated Wichita State 61-53 despite a very uninspired performance at FedExForum. The Shockers ranked No. 158 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) before tipoff, so Memphis evaded what would’ve been its second Quad 3 loss this season. Memphis suffered its first to Arkansas State (No. 94 in the NET) at home last month.

Penny Hardaway’s club next welcomes UAB to town on Sunday (noon, ESPN2).

Memphis shot 44% overall and 32% on 3-pointers. It also recorded 22 forced turnovers, 11 steals, 11 offensive rebounds, 6 assists and 4 blocks. The Tigers scored 32 points in the paint, 18 points off turnovers, 13 bench points and 10 second-chance points. They beat the Shockers despite trailing for 23 minutes and 26 seconds.

Paul Mills’ team (11-8, 1-5 AAC) shot 40% on field goals and 3-of-16 from beyond the arc. It also outrebounded Memphis 32-29 while racking up 20 forced turnovers, 12 offensive boards, 11 steals and 10 assists. Harlond Beverly (18), Corey Washington (11) and Quincy Ballard (10) scored double-figure points for WSU. Ballard, a 6-foot-11 center, notched a double-double with 10 rebounds.

Here are some takeaways from yet another sluggish outing for the Tigers.

Turnovers pile up fast

Hardaway has spent weeks trying to eliminate Memphis’ turnover issues. He’s dealing the Tigers just about every penalty in the book for their careless ball security in practice—whether it be Indian runs, 17s or pushups.

None of it seemingly worked, however, since Memphis finished Thursday’s first half with 14 turnovers and just 2 assists. It averages 14.4 per game, for context.

PJ Haggerty and Dain Dainja committed 4 giveaways each during the period, whereas Tyrese Hunter and Moussa Cisse had 2 apiece. Cisse also possibly cost the Tigers an extra possession with an over-the-back foul at the 17:55 mark.

Wichita State doesn’t take advantage

Wichita State, luckily for Memphis, didn’t properly capitalize on the Tigers’ turnover spree.

The Shockers finished the first half with just 6 points off turnovers, 2 fastbreak points and 36% field-goal shooting. They entered halftime with a 27-23 advantage, and never led by more than 7 points in either half.

Memphis eventually made WSU pay, since it went down to 6 second-half giveaways compared to Wichita’s 10.

Colby Rogers struggles in Wichita reunion

The former Shocker scored just 3 points against his old team, and finished the game on 1-for-10 shooting. Rogers also compiled 3 rebounds and a steal in 35 minutes.

Memphis still outscored Wichita State 38-26 in the second half, and finished the game on a 12-2 run in the final four minutes and 29 seconds. Haggerty totaled 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals on 8-for-11 shooting. Hunter had 16 points, 4 steals and 3 rebounds while shooting 6-for-14 from the field.

Just three Shockers—Ballard (10), Beverly (9) and Washington (7)—scored in the final 20 minutes.