There was hope for the Memphis Tigers tonight, down only six points (28-22) with just under five minutes to play in the first half at Gonzaga. But then the third-ranked Bulldogs outscored their guests 15-2 over the next four minutes to create what amounted to an entire second half of garbage time. Przemek Karnowski (victim of the famous Joe Jackson block just less than a year ago) led the Zags with 17 points and Kyle Wiltjer added 15 to help Gonzaga (22-1) earn its 15th straight victory and 38th straight win at home. The Tigers fall to 13-8 with the loss.
Down 18 at the half (43-25), the Tigers found themselves down 22 (63-41) midway through the second half before going on an 11-1 run. But the U of M never closed within 10 points down the stretch, making this the seventh of eight losses by double digits.
Memphis took an astounding 74 shots (27 more than Gonzaga) but made only 26 (35 percent). They outrebounded the Zags (36-35), pulling down 16 offensive boards, and forced 14 turnovers. But the Tigers hit merely four of 16 shots from three-point range while Gonzaga was eight for 16 from long range.
Austin Nichols (12) and Nick King (13) were the only Tigers to score in double figures. Shaq Goodwin started after missing most of the Tigers’ previous game with a mild ankle injury but did not score. Trahson Burrell scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench.
Gonzaga made 22 of 33 free throws, compared with eight-of-fourteen shooting from the line by the Tigers.
Memphis will play its final nonconference game of the season next Wednesday night when Jacksonville State visits FedExForum.
