After surging in the AP polls last week, 16th-ranked University of Memphis was humbled by the visiting Arkansas St. Red Wolves, 85-72, at the FedEx forum on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The upset ends a quarter century of drought for the Red Wolves against the Tigers. Their last win was in 1999. It was also Arkansas Stateโs first victory in Memphis since 1991. Memphisโ record falls to 7-2.
Afterwards, Memphis Coach Penny Hardaway complimented ASU Coach Bryan Hodgson on his game plan.
โIt was a crazy game. Coach had Arkansas State prepared. It doesnโt take much to be prepared for us. They are right across the bridge. If you donโt understand that, then you wonโt understand anything else,โ said Hardaway.
Turnovers, coupled with poor shooting, attributed to the downfall. The Tigers handed the ball over a season-high 20 times. Guards PJ Haggerty and Tyrese Hunter each had five. Memphisโ miscues were converted into 17 points for the visitors. Meanwhile, the Tigers only shot 28 percent from the field in the first half.ย
โWe have to carry over what we do in practice to the game. We canโt continue to have these slow starts. We have to want it more. We donโt see the energy to start games. When you donโt compete you donโt deserve to win the game,โ said Hardaway.
Hunter was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week last week. He ended the game with four points. The senior averages 16.6 point per game, second to Haggertyโs 22.3 per game average.
Haggerty led all scorers with a season high of 29 points, shooting 8-15 for the afternoon. He also hit 2-3 three-pointย shots. Nicholas Jordain added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers.
Memphis entered the second period with a 42-29 deficit, after a 7-2 run narrowed the gap before the horn. Tigers Forward Dain Dainja scored all seven points. The senior notched 16 points, along with a game-high 12 rebounds for the game.ย
The momentum carried over to the second half. A three-point shot from Senior Guard Colby Rogers with 11:01 remaining brought the score to 60-53. It was the closest the Tigers would come. A triple from Red Wolves Guard Joseph Pinion gave Arkansas St. a comfortable 73-60 advantage with 7:03 on the clock. From that point, the margin never came closer than 13 points.
The junior guard led the Red Wolves with 22 points, on 7-13 shooting. Pinion also hit 5-11 from deep. Senior backcourt mate Taryn Todd added 17. Backup Forward Dyondre Dominguez chipped in 19, with a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc.
Arkansas Stateโs record improves to 7-3. It was their first road win of the season.
Next, the Tigers travel to Clemson on Saturday, Dec. 14 to face the namesake Tigers (9-1). Tipoff is at 11 a.m. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
