Berry Delivers in Opener as Tigers Take Down San Francisco

Saturday, November 8

Memphis, Tenn.

2:00 PM

University of Memphis

1-0,0-0American

San Francisco

1-1,0-0WCC

San Francisco

Memphis

Berry Delivers in Opener as Tigers Take Down San Francisco

Nov 08, 2025 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Penny Hardaway era remained perfect in season openers as Memphis held off a late San Francisco rally for a 76–70 victory Saturday afternoon inside FedExForum.

The Tigers (1-0) never trailed after the opening minute, building a lead as large as 23 points and improving to 75-30 all-time in season openers. The win also extended Memphis' streaks to 23 consecutive home-opening victories and eight straight season-opening wins.

Quante Berry led the way with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a career-best four 3-pointers, while Sincere Parker added 15 points and six rebounds. Dug McDaniel filled the stat sheet with 11 points, a team-high eight assists and four steals. It marks the 11th time in his career he's recorded eight or more assists in a game. Hometown guard Julius Thedford anchored the frontcourt effort with a career-high nine rebounds and three assists off the bench in just 17 minutes. Eight of his boards came in the first half.

Memphis' depth shined, as the bench contributed 37 points, while its relentless defensive pressure forced 15 steals and 15 turnovers - converting those into 12 points. The Tigers also controlled the glass, pulling down 17 offensive rebounds that led to 22 second-chance points. It marked the fifth time since 1996-97 Memphis has opened a season with at least 15 steals, joining the 2023-24, 2013-14, 2010-11 and 2008-09 teams.

Freshman Simon Majok made the most of his collegiate debut, knocking down his first career shot - a 3-pointer from the top of the circle - and finishing with five points, two rebounds and a block in nine minutes.

Memphis led 36-22 at halftime and opened the second half with a 12–3 run before the Dons (1-1) surged back behind Mookie Cook's 18 points and Tyrone Riley IV's 15. San Francisco cut the deficit to four in the final minute, but McDaniel's late layup and two clutch free throws from Zach Davis sealed the win.

As a team, the Tigers shot 39.4% from the field (26-66) and 10-for-27 from 3-point range (37%), while holding the Dons to 40% overall and 33% from deep.

With the win, Memphis improved to 10-0 against unranked West Coast Conference opponents since 2000, including 4-0 all-time versus San Francisco. The Tigers are also 94-14 at FedExForum under Hardaway and 65-25 against nonconference foes during his tenure, holding 50 of those opponents to 70 points or fewer.

UP NEXT
Memphis now turns its focus to its first road test of the season at Ole Miss on Monday (8 p.m., SEC Network).

POSTGAME NOTES

Memphis opened its 105th season of basketball with Saturday's win and improved to 75-30 all-time in season openers.
The Tigers used the starting lineup of Dug McDaniel, Curtis Givens III, Sincere Parker, Aaron Bradshaw and Thierno Sylla.
- Bradshaw collected the Tigers' first points of the season with lay-in off a feed from McDaniel at the 18:56 mark of the first half.
The Tigers won their 23rd-straight home opener and eighth-straight season opener.
Memphis has won 45 of its last 51 games at FedExForum and are now 94-14 at home under head coach Penny Hardaway over eight seasons.
The Tigers are 65-25 against nonconference in the Hardaway era, and have now held 50 of those foes to 70 points or less.
Memphis collected 17 assists and forced 15 San Francisco miscues.
The Tigers had 15 steals and three blocks in the win.
Quante Berry led the Tigers with 17 points in 25 minutes off the pine. He was 6-of-8 overall shooting and connected on a career-high four triples.
- The 17 points are the fifth-most points of his career.
Sincere Parker finished second on the squad with 15 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. He was 6-of-11 from the floor and paced the team with a plus-minus of 10.
Dug McDaniel scored 11 points and dished a team-high eight assists.
- It marks the 11^th time in his career McDaniel has recorded at least eight assists in a game.
Julius Thedford finished with five points and a career-high nine rebounds off the bench with three dimes in 17 minutes.
Memphis shot 14-of-26 at the charity stripe for a 53.8 percent mark. Zach Davis led the team with four makes, while McDaniel converted on 3-of-4 attempts.
Ten different players scored in their season debut.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tiger Men's Basketball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.