The Tigers secured a much-needed — and easy — win this afternoon in Tampa, handling the American Athletic Conference’s cellar-dwellers in their only meeting of the season.
Both teams shot woefully in the first half, the Bulls missing 18 of their first 22 attempts and Memphis shooting 33 percent for the period. But three-pointers by Markel Crawford, Trahson Burrell, and D’Marnier Cunningham helped the U of M to a 10-point lead (31-21) at the break.
USF scored the first seven points of the second half to close within three (31-28) and were down four (37-33) when the Tigers took off on a 24-4 tear. A pair of treys by Avery Woodson highlighted the run and helped make this the 14th blowout victory among the Tigers’ 15 wins. Woodson finished the game with 11 points.
Shaq Goodwin continues to fill what he can of the void left by Austin Nichols (out for a second game with an ankle injury). Goodwin scored a game-high 18 points a hauled in nine rebounds to lead the Tigers.
The Tiger bench combined for 32 points, Nick King leading the way with nine. Cunningham delivered the game’s top highlight with a breakaway dunk midway through the second half, well after the game had been decided.
The U of M controlled the ball well, coughing up only ten turnovers against 17 assists. Sophomore guard Jake McDowell got the first start of his college career.
Now 15-10 (7-5 in league play), the Tigers will play three of their next four games at FedExForum, each against an AAC title contender. Connecticut visits next Thursday for an 8 p.m. tip-off.
