It’s a season of firsts for Penny Hardaway, and the Tigers’ rookie coach absorbed his first loss Tuesday night in Baton Rouge. Memphis battled LSU well into the second half, but a 20-8 run by the Bayou Bengals proved decisive and the U of M fell to 1-1. Skylar Mays led LSU with 19 points and received support from four teammates also in double figures on the scoreboard. Ironically, LSU’s All-America candidate, Tremont Waters, missed eight of 11 shots and finished with only eight points.
Memphis hit five of nine shots from three-point range over the game’s first nine minutes to avoid any early separation. Jeremiah Martin converted a pair of free throws after a three-pointer to tie the game at 36 with 3:35 to play in the first half. The senior guard later gave Memphis the lead (54-52) on a layup early in the second half, but that field goal triggered the hosts’ game-winning run. LSU’s lead grew to 10 points (72-62) with seven minutes left to play.
LSU shot 54 percent from the field and dominated inside play throughout. Memphis shot 41 percent and had more turnovers (14) than assists (12).
Senior center Mike Parks returned to the Memphis lineup and came off the bench to score nine points and grab six rebounds. Freshman guard Tyler Harris drained six three-pointers and led Memphis with 20 points. Martin added 15 points and senior forward Kyvon Davenport scored 10.
Game three of the Coach Hardaway Era comes Saturday night at FedExForum when Yale comes to town.
