Tigers to battle College of Charleston in Advocare Invitational

Sunday, November 25

Orlando, Fla.

5:30 PM

University of Memphis

Charleston

Tickets

Senior guard Jeremiah Martin is 10 points shy of joining the Tigers' 1,000-point club

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Tigers to battle College of Charleston in Advocare Invitational

Nov 24, 2018 | Men's Basketball

Memphis/AdvoCare Invitational Notes Supplement (vs. Charleston)

UofM meeting Cougars for first time, seeking fifth-place finish in tournament.

By: Phil Stukenborg

ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Memphis can finish the AdvoCare Invitational on a upbeat note Sunday, providing they can get past a challenge from College of Charleston.

After a disappointing 20-point loss to Oklahoma State to start the three-game, four-day event at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports, the Tigers defeated Canisius, 71-63, Friday. A win Sunday will make it a 2-1 road trip and give the UofM momentum leading into a December stretch has the Tigers playing six of seven games at home.

The Tigers (3-2) will tip off against Charleston (4-2) at approximately 5:30 p.m. The game, for fifth place, will be shown on ESPNU.

Memphis rebounded from the 84-64 loss to Oklahoma State on Thanksgiving Day by defeating Canisius, 71-63, Friday. The Tigers altered their starting lineup before Canisius by having Mike Parks and Raynere Thornton replace Kyvon Davenport and Isaiah Maurice.

The move proved beneficial. Parks scored 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting and had five rebounds. Parks scored eight of the Tigers' first 15 points as the UofM quickly built a 15-7 lead. Memphis never trailed in the game.

Parks, a regular starter last season, was making his first start of the season.

"I was just ready when my name was called," Parks said.

In addition to Parks, Davenport seemed to prosper from the change. He produced the 10^th double-double of his career with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He had several key baskets in the second half when Canisius made several attempts to come back.

"I thought we played better," Davenport said. "Coach got on us (after the Oklahoma State loss) and (senior guard) Jeremiah (Martin) got on us. We can't let (what happened against OSU) happen again."

The Tigers also got a huge contribution from Orlando native Antwann Jones, who finished with a career-high 14 points and six rebounds. Jones, a freshman, said he appreciated UofM coach Penny Hardaway allowing him to enjoy dinner at home with his family Thursday night.

Hardaway said he was seeking an energy boost with the lineup change and it led to a more aggressive approach. As a result, the Tigers raced to a 23-9 lead against Canisius and outrebounded the Golden Griffins, 51-28.

Memphis and Charleston will be playing for the first time. The Cougars are the defending Colonial Athletic Association champions and led by one of the top scoring duos in the country in Grant Riller and Jarrell Brantley. Brantley is averaging 19.3 points and Riller 18.8.

QUICK FACTS

Tiger guard Jeremiah Martin needs only 10 points to become the 52^nd player in the program's history to reach 1,000 points in his career. He also would become the 28^th player from the Memphis area to join the elite group.
Charleston's 6-3 junior guard Grant Riller scored 33 points in 33 minutes in the team's 74-51 victory over UAB Friday. It was the second-highest point total by a player in the tournament's history.
Charleston shot 70.8 percent in the second half against UAB to earn the lopsided victory. The torrid shooting allowed Charleston to overcome 38-29 disadvantage on the boards.
For the Tigers, Charleston will be the only first-time opponent on the schedule.
Memphis is 39-5 against first-time opponents since the 2000-01 season. The Tigers were 3-0 against first-time foes during the 2017-18 season with wins over Albany, Bryant and Northern Kentucky.