Memphis is rusty in loss to Tulsa
TULSA, Okla. — New year, same problems for the Tigers.
Memphis committed 21 turnovers, shot 26.7% from 3-point range and 60% from the free-throw line, falling 58-57 against Tulsa on Sunday.
Sophomore guard Lester Quinones, who scored 12 points in the losing effort, walked slowly off the court at the Reynolds Center with his hands on top of his head. The loss comes more than two weeks after the Tigers (6-5, 2-2 AAC) last played a game.
Trailing 58-55 with less than 10 seconds left, Landers Nolley II’S 3-point attempt that would’ve tied the game missed the mark with 7 seconds on the clock. Deandre Williams got the rebound and the bucket to make it a 1point game with 2.7 seconds to play. Tulsa’s pass to the other end of the court on the ensuing possession took enough time to run out the clock and a victory for the Golden Hurricane (8-4, 5-2).
Nolley’s contrasting halves
Nolley has struggled with consistency this season, something he was expected to provide after a strong freshman season at Virginia Tech.
Sunday’s game was a prime example of his continued effort to be a reliable piece.
His 13 points in the first half was the biggest reason why the Tigers carried a 32-26 lead into halftime – the ninth time in 11 games they have had an advantage at intermission.
Then, Nolley was a non-factor on of
fense in the second half.
He was shut down completely late in the game, held scoreless on four field goal attempts.
Dandridge steps up
Malcolm Dandridge did not play in last month’s loss to Tulsa at Fedexforum.
So, the Bluff City big man made up for it Sunday. Pressed into a bigger role than he’s accustomed since Moussa Cisse and Deandre Williams got caught up in early foul trouble, Dandridge was efficient and effective.
In more than 20 minutes on the floor, the sophomore tied a career-high in points (10) and established new careerbests in rebounds (10) and blocks (3).
Where were Jeffries, Cisse?
Before the season began, D.J. Jeffries was billed as the Tigers’ most talented player.
Coming off a strong, albeit, injuryshortened freshman season, the former Olive Branch (Miss.) star was a preseason all-aac second team selection. But things have not gone his way very much lately.
And Sunday was no different. Jeffries scored just five points before fouling out late in the game. He has not scored more than six points in each of the team’s last three games.
Cisse, Memphis’ freshman center, was even less effective against the Golden Hurricane. In just 10 minutes, the former Lausanne star did not score, grabbed just two rebounds and did not block a shot.
Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers
The Tigers’ ball security woes showed up again Sunday.
Memphis, which came into the game tied for 258th in the country averaging 15 turnovers a game, committed a season-high 21 versus the Golden Hurricane. And they made the Tigers pay for their mistakes.
Tulsa was credited with 24 points off turnovers.
No Baugh
Damion Baugh did not suit up against Tulsa.
Coach Penny Hardaway said after the game that Baugh suffered a concussion in practice three days before Sunday’s game.
Junior Alex Lomax, who was put back into the starting lineup (in place of Nolley), and sophomore Boogie Ellis picked up the bulk of the slack, playing more than 20 minutes apiece.
Baugh is averaging 4.3 points and 3.1 rebounds a game.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.