Memphis, Tennessee, had a bright spotlight on it as the Tigers kicked off their American Conference play with a solid 57-48 win over North Texas. This victory marked their second in a row, lifting their overall record to 6-7 and 1-0 in the conference.
From the start, Memphis led the game, but their performance wasn’t without flaws. They faced challenges on offense, racking up 20 turnovers and struggling with shooting. Despite these issues, their defense shone through, keeping North Texas to just 48 points—the lowest they’ve allowed in over three years.
One of the standout moments came from Zach Davis, who scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. Sincere Parker also contributed significantly, adding 10 points. Their bench was instrumental, scoring 36 of the team’s 57 points, showcasing depth that has been a pleasant surprise. This is especially notable when you consider this season has already seen the Tigers with eight games where the bench scored over 35 points. In contrast, they had only one such game over the previous three seasons.
North Texas struggled mightily on the three-point line, hitting only 1 of 18 attempts—echoing a trend of poor shooting from long range. Historically, teams can fluctuate in their outside shooting, but this kind of performance underscores the defensive strengths of Memphis. For context, the last time Memphis held a team to such low three-point shooting was against Saint Mary’s in 2020.
The team’s defense not only limited North Texas’s shooting but also forced 18 turnovers, creating scoring opportunities from those mistakes. Memphis is keenly aware that such defensive efforts are crucial, especially as they move deeper into the season.
The game started strong for Memphis, who quickly jumped ahead, showcasing their intensity. However, as the game continued, they faced a familiar struggle where the momentum stalled, allowing North Texas to narrow the gap at times. In the end, Memphis regained its composure and maintained a lead that was never truly threatened after their decisive run in the second half.
Next up, Memphis will travel to face Rice, looking to keep the momentum going. The Tigers are set to continue their push for a strong season in the American Conference.
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