Tigers fall to third-ranked Tennessee at FedExForum

Saturday, December 15

Memphis, Tenn.

11 PM

University of Memphis

102

Tennessee

102

Memphis

Tiger coach Penny Hardaway saw his team shoot 57.5 percent in the second half.

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Tigers fall to third-ranked Tennessee at FedExForum

Dec 15, 2018 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Boxscore (UT 102, UM 92)

Davenport leads the UofM with a career-high 31 points, 26 in the second half

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis shot 57.5 in the second half, got a career-high 31 points from Kyvon Davenport and committed only nine turnovers Saturday at FedExForum, but when the opponent is the No. 3 team in the nation more is required.

The nationally ranked Tennessee Volunteers, utilizing an advantage at the free throw line and on the boards, defeated the Tigers, 102-92, before 18,528, the second-largest crowd to see the UofM play at FedExForum.

Memphis (5-5) trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half, but battled back in the second half to trim the advantage to single digits on multiple occasions. It was an eight-point game (70-62) midway through the second half after Davenport drained a 3-pointer from the left corner.

But the Vols (8-1), who defeated top-ranked Gonzaga last weekend, recovered with a strong, closing eight minutes, a stretch in which they made 18 free throws. Tennessee made 39 of 46 free throw attempts, led by Jordan Bone, who was 11-of-12 from the line and Admiral Schofield, who was perfect in nine attempts. Tennessee outrebounded the Tigers, 42-34.

"That's why they are ranked No 3 in the nation," said Tiger coach Penny Hardaway. "We just have to work harder. We couldn't put two halves together."

Memphis endured a forgettable start, missing 19 of its first 24 shots. But the second half was different. The Tigers scored 57 points and dished out 15 of their 21 assists.

"We kept fighting in the second half, shot about 50 percent and scored 92 points on the No. 3 team in the country," Hardaway said.

Behind Davenport – who scored 26 of his points in the final 20 minutes – the Tigers made a concerted run after the half. During one stretch, Davenport scored 18 consecutive points to keep the UofM within striking distance.

"It was my teammates that helped me to score," Davenport said. "They got past their defenders and found me."

Besides Davenport, only one other Tiger – freshman guard Tyler Harris – finished in double figures. Harris was 3-of-12 shooting and had 10 points. Davenport had his third double-double of the season by grabbing 11 rebounds, eight on the offensive boards.

The Vols got 29 points from Schofield, 19 from Grant Williams – the reigning Southeastern Conference Player of the Year – and 17 from Bone.

In the first half, the Tigers struggled from the field shooting 27 percent. The UofM only committed five turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, but was unable to score inside against the taller Vols and was unable to knock down open shots.

The Tigers fell behind by 14 (19-5) early, but mounted a comeback trimming the Tennessee lead to six on several occasions, the last at 28-22 with 8:15 to go in the half on a pair of free throws by Alex Lomax.

Tennessee then proceeded to rebuild its advantage, going on a 15-3 run fueled by 3-pointers from Kyle Alexander, Jordan Bowden and Schofield for a 43-25 lead.

Williams had 14 points at the half to lead the Vols, who shot 51.7 percent in the opening half and outrebounded the Tigers, 25-20.

Memphis remains home next week to play two games: Wednesday against Little Rock and Saturday against Tennessee State.

NOTABLES

In its 15-year history playing home games at FedExForum, Memphis had played before only four above-capacity (18,400) crowds: Georgetown (18,864 in 2007); Tulane (18,466 in 2009); UAB (18,456 in 2009) and Southern Miss (18,454 in 2009).
Saturday's crowd of 18,528 is the second-largest to see the Tigers play at FedExForum and one of 16 of 18,150 or more. Memphis is in its 14^th season playing at FedExForum.
The coach of the 2007 game against fifth-ranked Georgetown was John Thompson III, who was in FedExForum Saturday as part of the ESPN2 broadcasting crew.
Entering Saturday's game, the Tigers were 7-5 vs. Top 25 programs in games played in Memphis.
Tiger forward Kyvon Davenport had his second 30-point game of the season and the 11^th double-double of his career. His 31 points were a career-best, surpassing the 30 he scored in the opener against Tennessee Tech. He had 11 reounds.
With Davenport's contribution, the Tiger bench finished with 50 points. Kareem Brewton and Antwann Jones added 9 points each. Jones had five assists, second to Jeremiah Martin's six.
Memphis forced 18 Tennessee turnovers.
Tennessee maintained the lead for 39 minutes and 45 seconds Saturday. The Tigers held the lead for nine seconds after Tyler Harris sank three free throws after being fouled on a corner three try in the opening minute of the game.