Memphis Tigers' Bench Sparks Comeback Attempt Against Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Memphis Tigers faced off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a closely contested game at Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs emerged victorious with a 71-66 win, improving their record to 1-0. Meanwhile, the Tigers fell to 0-1 in this early season matchup.

First Half

The first half saw both teams battling for dominance, with the Bulldogs taking an early lead. Mississippi State capitalized on their offensive rebounds and points in the paint, scoring 34 points by halftime. The Tigers struggled to find their rhythm initially but managed to keep pace thanks to their bench's contribution of 38 points throughout the game.

Second Half

In the second half, Memphis showed resilience as they clawed back into contention. Curtis Givens III led the charge for Memphis with his efficient shooting performance, contributing significantly to narrowing the gap. Despite trailing by as much as 10 points at one stage, Memphis managed a spirited comeback attempt that brought them within striking distance of MSU.

Game-Changing Plays

Key moments included Dug McDaniel's defensive prowess with four steals and Aaron Bradshaw's two crucial blocks that kept Memphis within reach during critical stretches of play. However, turnovers proved costly for Memphis as they committed a total of 18 throughout the match compared to MSU’s more disciplined play.

Final Outcome

Ultimately, it was Mississippi State's ability to convert opportunities from turnovers into points that sealed their victory over Memphis. The Dawgs' efficiency from inside and solid free throw shooting were pivotal factors in maintaining their edge over an aggressive Tiger squad.

As fans digest this post-game report on Memphis Tigers’ performance against Mississippi State Bulldogs match summary, attention now turns towards future challenges awaiting them on home turf.

Looking ahead: The next encounter for fans will be when Alabama State Hornets visit FedExForum on December 22nd at 8:00 PM EDT; catch all action live via ESPN+. Share your thoughts about this exciting matchup!