Let’s call it the consolation bracket.
In a game between teams that lost in Thursday’s quarterfinals of the AdvoCare Invitational in Orlando, the Tigers beat Canisius with a new starting lineup, one that resulted in a new star off coach Penny Hardaway’s bench.
Kyvon Davenport scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as a reserve Friday afternoon to help Memphis improve to 3-2 on the young season. Davenport and Isaiah Maurice were replaced in the Tiger starting lineup by a pair of seniors, Mike Parks and Raynere Thornton. Parks scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds in only 17 minutes (he picked up three fouls).
Jeremiah Martin added 10 points and Antwann Jones 14 off the bench to help their team avoid the first consecutive losses under Hardaway. Memphis earned the win despite missing 13 of 14 shots from three-point range. The Tigers had 20 turnovers and only 14 assists.
Memphis finishes its three-game appearance in Orlando on Sunday when the Tigers play the winner of Friday’s Charleston-UAB game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30.
