The Tigers scored only one field goal in overtime tonight in Miami . . . but managed to beat Ohio State for the program’s first win over a Big Ten team in seven years. It was that kind of game at the Hoop Hall Miami Invitational, a sloppy, often-ugly victory for one teetering program over another. Led by 23 points from senior Shaq Goodwin (matching his career high) and 16 each from freshman Dedric Lawson and senior Ricky Tarrant Jr., the Tigers improved to 3-2 while the Buckeyes dropped their third straight game to fall to 2-3.
Goodwin hit the only field goal (for either team) in the overtime period. Tarrant hit three of four free throws in OT and Lawson rejected a shot by Ohio State’s JaQuan Lyle that would have tied the game at 78 with 50 seconds left to play. The Memphis defense tightened considerably after allowing Ohio State to score the last five points of regulation play, including a game-tying three-pointer by Keita Bates-Diop with 56 seconds on the clock. Goodwin missed a 15-foot jumper and Avery Woodson’s three-point heave at the buzzer never had a chance. (The ball was nearly lost as Lawson dribbled across halfcourt.)
The Buckeyes seemed to take command in the second half with an 11-4 run to start the period and take a 48-39 lead. But the Tigers answered with a 14-2 run keyed by a Lawson hook shot and a trey by Woodson (who finished with 11 points). The game featured a total of ten lead changes. Lyle led Ohio State with 18 points and eight assists.
With a first-half dunk, Goodwin became the 50th player in Memphis history to score 1,000 points in his career. He played significant minutes — and made significant impact — despite picking up his fourth foul with more than 15 minutes to play in regulation. The Tiger bench was squeezed, K.J. Lawson sitting out with a sore Achilles heel. Memphis reserves combined to score only 12 points.
The Tigers’ next seven games will be at FedExForum (all in December). They host Louisiana Tech next Tuesday, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m.