It was HBCU night at the Grizzlies game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and FedEx Forum, Friday, Nov. 6. Along with the chance to see the professional game live, students from Midsouth HBCUs also had their moments in the spotlight.
The Mississippi Delta Community College Choir sang the National Anthem. The LeMoyne Owen Colleges Cheer and Spirit Squad was charged with getting the crowd hyped up. Memphis rapper Yung Joc and his team also performed.
What the young guests didn’t get to see was a Grizzlies win. The Thunder beat the Grizzlies 128-97 in an NBA Cup group stage game.
Ajay Mitchell scored a career-high 35 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 28, and the Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-97 on Friday, Nov. 6, in an NBA Cup group stage game.
Oklahoma City has won 16 straight over Memphis, including a four-game sweep in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
The LeMoyne Owen Cheer and Spirit Squad performs for the Grizzlies’ HBCU night. (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Memphis rapper Yung Joc performs at the Grizzlies and OKC Thunder game on HBCU night. (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Ty Jerome of the Grizzlies scores. (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Zach Edey of the Grizzlies scores on Isaiah Hartenstein of Oklahoma City Thunder. (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC scores on Javon Small of the Grizzlies. (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Cedric Coward (left) and Ty Jerome of the Grizzlies guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC. (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender)
Ty Jerome led Memphis with 21 points and Zach Edey added 14. Rookie Cameron Boozer was limited to eight points but grabbed 12 rebounds.
However, the Grizzlies bounced back with a win Monday night in Toronto.
Ty Jerome scored 27 points, Cameron Boozer added 22 and the Memphis Grizzlies improved to 5-0 on the road this season by beating the Toronto Raptors 118-102.
Memphis is the only NBA team without a road loss this season. They’ve also won at Golden State, Sacramento, Utah and Portland.
Jerami Grant scored 17 points and Jaylen Wells had 14 as the Grizzlies snapped a three-game losing streak and won for the fifth time in six trips to Toronto.
Boozer had seven rebounds and eight assists. Zach Edey had eight points and nine rebounds in his lone regular-season visit to his hometown.
Memphis was without center Isaiah Stewart (right knee) for the second straight game. Grizzlies center Quinten Post left in the first quarter after being elbowed in the face while defending Jamison Battle’s drive to the basket.
Jamal Shead led the Raptors scoring with 20 points and 11 assists.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
