Memphis dropped back-to-back games in conference play for the first time this season with a pair of road losses against Tulsa and Wichita State. The Tigers wrapped up the road trip with a 74-59 loss against the Shockers in a game where they trailed most of the way.
It was reported before the game that Memphis would be without Sincere Parker after he twisted his ankle on Wednesday night against the Hurricane. With everyone else available, Penny Hardaway rolled out the same starting lineup he used against Tulsa.
Memphis got out to a quick 4-0 lead, but the Shockers responded with a 12-0 run to take full control of the game. The Tigers had no answers on the offensive end of the court, and it took nearly 15 minutes of game time for Hardaway’s team to cross the double-digit threshold.
While Memphis struggled to get anything going offensively, Wichita State followed up its first big run with a 7-0 run and a 10-0 run to take a 29-8 lead with 5:46 left in the first half. Hardaway’s team was able to cut into the lead late in the half, but the Shockers closed the first half with a quick 5-0 run to take an 18-point lead into the break.
The Tigers entered the locker room with only 22 points, shooting 31 percent from the field in the first half, 10 percent from deep and went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line in the first half. Only five players scored in the first half, and Aaron Bradshaw and Ashton Hardaway both finished the first half with six points.
The second half started with more of the same. Wichita State started the half on a 6-0 run to extend its lead to 24 points.
The Tigers were all out of sorts.
Miscommunication.
No communication.
No hustle.
A team completely lost on both ends of the court, and it took them more than three minutes to score their first points in the second half.
Memphis put together a few runs in the second half and cut the lead to 11 points with 5:28 left in the game, but they were never able to get any closer. The Shockers went on another 5-0 run late in the game and ultimately secured a 15-point victory.
Three-point shooting was a massive issue for the Tigers on Saturday, and they finished the game 3-for-19 from deep. Memphis also turned the ball over 17 times, and Wichita State turned that into 17 points off turnovers.
For the game, the Tigers shot 40.7 percent from the field, 15.8 percent from three and 72.7 percent from the free throw line, and three players finished in double figures. Curtis Givens led the team with 11 points, while both Bradshaw and Simon Majok ended the game with 10 points.
Defensively, the Tigers allowed the Shockers to shoot 44.8 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from deep, and four players, including three starters, finished in double figures. Both Karon Boyd and Kenyon Giles finished with 14 points, while big man Will Berg recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Wichita State won the rebounding battle 40-to-36, and it scored 13 second-chance points on 12 offensive rebounds.
With the loss, Memphis falls to 9-10 on the season and 4-3 in conference play. The Tigers return to FedExForum on Thursday for a rematch against FAU, who beat them in Boca Raton earlier this month.