The Tigers had little trouble with Siena this evening in the quarterfinals of the Old Spice Classic in Orlando. With much of Tiger Nation transitioning from turkey to pie, Tiger sophomore Shaq Goodwin scored 10 points in the game’s first 10 minutes and the U of M enjoyed a 15-3 run over a six-minute stretch of the first half to take control at HP Field House. Michael Dixon scored 13 points off the bench in the first half and was one of four Tigers in double figures with 16 for the game. Joe Jackson added a team-high 18, Goodwin 17 (with 10 rebounds), and freshman Austin Nichols 12.
Memphis held the Saints to 33.8-percent shooting from the field and forced 20 turnovers, though Siena outrebounded the U of M, 47-41. The win improves the 21st-ranked Tigers to 3-1 for the seasion, while the Saints fall to 2-5.
The Tigers will face LSU — a winner over St. Joseph, Thursday — in one of Friday’s semifinal contests. Oklahoma State (the same Cowboys that drilled the Tigers on November 19th) will face Butler in the other semi. The championship game will be played on Sunday.
