Tigers Take Down Nebraska 

A balanced offensive effort by Memphis delivered a 73-61 bounce back victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando.  The Tigers had four in double figures with Kendric Davis again leading the way with 21.  Deandre Williams coming off one of the worst games of his career added 16 points and 7 rebounds.  Alex Lomax, who had been struggling since the opening game win over Vanderbilt, had 13 points and broke into the top 10 in career steals for Memphis.  Lomax was also 2-2 from behind the arc.  Keonte Kennedy rounded out the double figure scoring for the Tigers chipping in 10. 

While Memphis struggled offensively to open the contest, the defense was exactly what Coach Penny Hardaway claims is the identity of this Tiger team.  The Tigers held Nebraska to one made field goal over the opening eight minutes of the game but were only able to build a nine point lead through that stretch of the game.  The Memphis on ball defense forced Nebraska into a season high 20 turnovers.  Memphis built a ten point lead in the first half but Nebraska, spurred by the return of senior Derrick Walker playing his first game of the season, fought their way back into the game and had the game tied shortly before halftime before Kennedy nailed a three to give Memphis the 33-30 lead at the half. 

Memphis went on a 9-2 run to open the second half and were never threatened as they built a 16 point lead and coasted to the twelve point victory coming off the heartbreaking buzzer beating loss to Seton Hall in the opening round.  The only negative on the night came at the line where the normally reliable Davis struggled going 1-5 for the game. 

Nebraska won the rebounding battle 33-30 but Memphis offset that by winning the turnover margin 20-13 with Lomax garnering 4 steals.  Memphis’ weak spot for the season thus far had been from beyond the three point line but on this night, the Tigers were 9-22 for 40.9%.  Jayden Hardaway was 3-5 from long distance for 9 points.  Davis dished out 7 assists on the game which featured a match up with his former SMU teammate Emmanuel Bandoumel who lead Nebraska with 18 points.  For the Cornhuskers, Walker seeing his first action this season had 15 points and 12 rebounds. 

Next up for Memphis who improved to 3-2 is a 10:00 Sunday morning matchup with the Stanford Cardinal who advanced by defeating Florida St. 70-60.