Playing their first game since point guard Jeremiah Martin’s season ended, the Tigers extended their winning streak to four games with their fifth road win of the season in Storrs, Connecticut. Memphis took control with a 28-8 run over the last nine minutes of the first half, boosted by the three-point shooting of freshman Jamal Johnson and junior Malik Rhodes. The Tigers withstood an extended Husky rally over the game’s final eight minutes, one that saw their lead shrink from 22 points to four.
The win improves the Tigers’ overall record to 18-11 and Memphis now occupies sole possession of fifth place in the 12-team American Athletic Conference with a 9-7 mark. UConn falls to 13-16 (6-10 in the AAC) with its second loss to the Tigers this season.
Johnson and Mike Parks led the Tigers with 18 points each, Johnson hitting four three-pointers and tying his season high in the scoring column. Junior Raynere Thornton came off the bench and added 16 points, hitting five of six shots from three-point range (after making four of five long-distance attempts in the Tigers’ win over Houston last Thursday). Taking over the point-guard chores from Martin, Kareem Brewton contributed 12 points and seven assists.
Jalen Adams led the Huskies with 25 points and Christian Vital added 19.
The Tigers combined to make 11 three-pointers, their second-most this season and most in AAC play.
Memphis will have a chance to reach 20 wins for the first time since the 2013-14 season when they host the AAC’s two weakest teams in early March. USF visits this Thursday, followed by a tilt with East Carolina on March 4th. The Pirates beat Memphis in North Carolina on February 3rd.
