Memphis improved to one game over .500 with a 95-69 win over UTSA. While Penny Hardaway’s team struggled on the defensive end of the court, they were able to do whatever they wanted offensively and finished with a season-high 95 points to secure a 26-point win.
Hardaway changed the starting lineup again against the Roadrunners, but this time it was due to an injury. The only change in the starting lineup from Wednesday was William Whorton starting in place of Arron Bradshaw, who left Wednesday’s game with a leg injury.
It’s the 13th different starting lineup through 17 games, but it appeared that Hardaway would’ve stuck with the same starting five if Bradshaw was available. While Bradshaw missed the game, he was moving around on the court pregame and wasn’t wearing a boot.
Alongside Bradshaw, Julius Thedford missed another game. Thedford was listed as questionable, and ultimately, missed a second straight game.
Thierno Sylla returned after missing four games, and he finished with four points, two rebounds and an assist in six minutes of action.
After struggling early in games to start the conference slate, the Tigers got out to a much better start against UTSA, and they jumped out to a 10-point lead just seven minutes into the game. While they were able to take an early double-digit lead, the Roadrunners hung around, and Memphis never led by more than 10 points through the first 20 minutes.
It was only a five-point game with 57 seconds left in the half, before Sincere Parker closed the first half with a 5-0 run to take the lead back to double digits as the teams went to the locker room. Parker led the team with 10 points, on a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and four field goals, in nine minutes of action.
As a team, the Tigers shot 58.6 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from three-point range and 55.6 percent from the charity stripe, but they recorded eight turnovers. While Memphis shot the ball well, they gave up 33 points in the first half, and allowed the Roadrunners to shoot 41.9 percent from the field and make four three-pointers in the first half.
Hardaway’s team opened things up in the second half and made it a 15-point game in the first five minutes of the second half. The Tigers’ lead hovered in the teens before they went on a 12-0 run to jump out to a 28-point lead with three minutes left in the game.
Shortly after, Hardaway put in the guys at the end of the bench and secured a 26-point win.
UTSA had no answers for the Tigers’ offense, and they were able to hurt them in multiple ways. The Tigers scored 44 points in the paint and made 11 three-pointers.
It’s only the sixth time that Memphis has finished with double-digit three pointers, and 95 points is a season-high for Hardaway’s group.
As a team, the Tigers shot 56.3 percent from the field, 50 percent from deep and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line, and they won the rebounding battle 38-33. Memphis grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scored 11 second-chance points.
Four players finished in double figures, and Parker led the team with 22 points, three rebounds, two steals, a block and only two turnovers. Dug McDaniel, Curtis Givens and Hasan Abdul Hakim also finished with double-digit points and combined for 43 points in the starting lineup.
The Tigers scored 19 fast-break points, and the bench finished with 44 points. Memphis forced 17 turnovers and turned them into 21 points off turnovers.
Defensively, the Tigers allowed UTSA to shoot 41.5 percent from the field, but the Roadrunners only shot 29 percent from three and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. Austin Claunch’s team forced only 12 turnovers and was only able to score eight points off turnovers.
Four Roadrunners finished in double figures, and freshman Dorian Hayes led the team with 17 points, including five three-pointers.
Memphis improves to 9-8 on the season, and they’ll hit the road to play Tulsa on Wednesday. The Golden Hurricanes are 15-3 on the season and have won back-to-back games against Charlotte and UAB.