Can Memphis Tigers Maintain Momentum After Narrow Escape at Tulsa?

The Memphis Tigers edged out a narrow victory against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane with a final score of 78-75. The Tigers, ranked 15th, now hold an impressive record, while the Golden Hurricane's record remains unranked.

In what was a closely contested battle at the Donald W. Reynolds Center in Tulsa, the Memphis Tigers showcased their offensive capabilities by scoring 49 points in the first half and adding another 29 in the second to secure their win. The team's shooting accuracy was on display as they hit 50 percent from the field and an exceptional 86 percent from the free-throw line.

The Tigers' performance was bolstered by their dominance in several key areas of play. They outrebounded their opponents with a total of 38 rebounds to Tulsa's 30 and were particularly effective in scoring from fast breaks, contributing to an impressive tally of 24 fast break points. Additionally, they capitalized on turnovers by scoring 16 points off them.

Memphis also excelled inside with a strong presence in the paint where they scored 40 points. Their two-point shooting was notably efficient at a rate of 62 percent made shots. Despite facing stiff competition that led to seven times tied and seven lead changes throughout the game, it was these high-percentage shots that helped keep them ahead.

On defense, Memphis managed eight steals and five blocks which contributed significantly to disrupting Tulsa's rhythm. However, it wasn't just about defense; their offense saw contributions across the board with six players hitting three-pointers at a rate of 30 percent for those attempts.

The Golden Hurricane put up a valiant effort as well but fell short despite matching Memphis' steal count and surpassing them slightly with assists at seventeen compared to fourteen for Memphis. They also had more second-chance points than Memphis but struggled from both field goal range (42 percent) and free throw line (60 percent), which ultimately may have cost them dearly.

Looking ahead after this hard-fought victory on foreign hardwoods, fans can anticipate seeing if The University of Memphis can continue its winning ways back home against SMU Mustangs at FedExForum located in Tennessee’s vibrant city - Memphis - on January seventh at four o'clock PM Central Time Zone broadcasted nationally on ESPN channel two hundred six.