Tigers Claw Back to Edge Mustangs in a Nail-Biter at FedExForum
In a closely contested battle at FedExForum, the Memphis Tigers improved their record to 15-0 after securing a narrow victory over the Mustangs with a final score of 62-59. The Mustangs, unable to clinch the win, now stand with an unranked status and their record shifts to 0-1.
The game was marked by intense defensive efforts from both sides. The Tigers managed to block an impressive total of 10 shots throughout the game, while the Mustangs put up a staunch defense with six blocks of their own. Despite trailing in the first half with only 24 points against the Mustangs' stronger start of 36 points, the Tigers rallied back in the second half adding another 38 points to their tally.
The home team's offensive efforts were led by their accuracy from two-point range where they shot at an effective rate of 53 percent. Their overall field goal percentage stood at a solid 44 percent as they made good on 23 out of their total attempts. From beyond the arc, they managed to convert six out of twenty attempts resulting in a three-point shooting percentage rounding up to about 30 percent.
Memphis also capitalized on turnovers scoring fifteen points off them and showed slightly better ball distribution than their opponents with thirteen assists compared to twelve by SMU. However, both teams struggled similarly with turnovers as each gave up possession sixteen times during play.
On SMU's side, despite falling short on scoring compared to Memphis' output in paint and fast breaks—26 and seventeen respectively—the visitors did manage thirty-eight points inside and nine fast break points themselves. They also had more rebounds than Memphis totaling forty-three but were less efficient shooting from two-point range making nineteen out of forty-four attempts which is approximately rounded up as forty-three percent.
As for free throws, neither team excelled; both squads hovered around fifty-three percent from the charity stripe which left many potential points unclaimed during critical moments.
Looking ahead for Memphis fans eager for more action-packed basketball: The next game will see your beloved Tigers hosting UTSA Roadrunners at FedExForum located at one-nine-one Beale Street in Memphis TN (zip code: three-eight-one-zero-three), USA. This encounter is scheduled for January ten-thousand-nineteen-twenty-four-year calendar date starting promptly at seven o'clock PM Central Time Zone (-06:00). Fans can catch all live coverage via ESPN+ internet broadcast network ensuring not one moment is missed from what promises another exciting matchup on home court advantage.