Memphis sent it to overtime but couldn't capitalize in 7-point loss to Vanderbilt

Despite forcing overtime against Vanderbilt, Memphis couldn’t pull the upset inside FedExForum. Both teams struggled to make shots early, but the Commodores made enough shots in overtime to secure a 77-70 win over the Tigers.

It was reported earlier in the afternoon by Jon Rothstein that Curtis Givens III would miss another game with a thigh injury, and Julius Thedford joined Givens in missing another game. 

With the injuries and lack of success against Louisville, Penny Hardaway made another change to the starting lineup and replaced Simon Majok with Sincere Parker. It’s the eighth different lineup that Hardaway has used to start a game, and they struggled to get much going early.

The Tigers started the game 0-for-6 from the field and allowed the Commodores to jump out to a 5-0 lead. While they struggled out of the gate, Vanderbilt couldn’t get in a groove offensively, allowing Memphis to keep the game close.

Both teams shot under 30 percent from the field in the first half, and the Tigers only had five players record points through the first 20 minutes. Memphis shot 29.6 percent from the field and went 2-for-11 from deep, and Tariq Ingraham led the team with seven points.

On the other side, Vanderbilt, a team that entered the game shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three, only shot 27.3 percent from the field and went 3-for-17 from behind the three-point line in the first half.

Both teams regrouped at the half and shot the ball better in the second half. After trailing by double digits with 15:52 left in the game, Memphis went on a 17-3 run to take its first lead in the game.

The Tigers caused chaos during their run and forced five turnovers that they turned into six points at the other end of the court. Vanderbilt turned the ball over a lot throughout the night and finished with 20, which is the most its recorded in a game this season, and Hardaway’s team capitalized, scoring 23 points off turnovers.

Memphis maintained the lead until about the six-minute mark when Tyler Nickel made a jumper to take a one-point lead. The Commodores kept the lead, and it looked like they would win the game in regulation when Parker sent forward Devin McGlockton to the charity stripe with a two-point lead and 15 seconds remaining.

McGlockton missed both free throws, giving the Tigers an opportunity to tie or take the lead, and Hasan Abdul Hakim took the opportunity to get to the rim and lay the ball up to tie the game. Vanderbilt had a good look at the corner three, but the shot missed as time expired to send the game into overtime. 

While the Tigers did a nice job at the end of regulation, they looked out of sorts in overtime. A combination of missed shots and questionable fouls led to the Commodores outscoring Memphis 15-8 in the additional five minutes.

Hardaway’s team got into some foul trouble late in the game, which forced the Tigers to be without Quante Berry and Aaron Bradshaw for most of overtime. Memphis recorded seven fouls in overtime, and Vanderbilt attempted 13 free throws in that span.

For the game, the Tigers shot 35.9 percent from the field and went 4-for-20 from three, and four players finished the night in double figures. Dug McDaniel and Hasan Abdul Hakim both ended the night with 18 points, while Hasan Abdul Hakim recored a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

On the other side, Vanderbilt shot 32.3 percent from the field and 19.4 percent from deep, and they out rebounded Memphis 45-to-39. Duke Miles led the team with 22 points, including 12 made free-throws, and Jalen Washington scored 14 points off the bench on only two made field goals.

Following this loss, the Tigers fall to 4-6 on the year, and they’ll head to Starkville for a matchup against Mississippi State on Saturday. The Bulldogs are 6-5 on the year, but they haven’t dominated any opponent this season.