Memphis gives Hardaway a win in league-opening debut
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Kyvon Davenport scored 25 points in 26 minutes off the bench and Memphis defeated Wichita State 85-74 to give head coach Penny Hardaway his first American Athletic Conference victory in both teams' league opener Thursday night.
Davenport, who averages 14.5 points a game, was 7-of-11 shooting, including two 3-pointers, 9 of 11 from the line and had five rebounds for the Tigers (9-5), who shot 50 percent and made 25 of 31 free throws to 6 of 6 for the Shockers (7-6).
The Tigers have won four straight but missed scoring 90 points for the sixth straight game.
Antwann Jones added 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and Jeremiah Martin added 11 points.
Markis McDuffie scored 19 points, Samajae Haynes-Jones 15 and Dexter Dennis 12 for Wichita State, which shot 44 percent and gave up 20 points off turnovers.
The Shockers trailed by six when the Tigers used a 15-5 run to build a 16-point lead with six minutes remaining. Wichita State didn't get closer than eight after that.
The Tigers never trailed again after a 13-0 run gave them a nine-point lead with 4:20 left in the first half that ended with Memphis up 12 after a dunk by Jones.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Pat Driscoll
- Byron Jarrett
- Joe Lindsay
2023-24 American Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Florida | 16-2 | - | 25-8 |
Florida Atlantic | 14-4 | 2 | 25-9 |
Charlotte | 13-5 | 3 | 19-12 |
UAB | 12-6 | 4 | 23-12 |
Memphis | 11-7 | 5 | 22-10 |
SMU | 11-7 | 5 | 20-13 |
North Texas | 10-8 | 6 | 19-15 |
Tulsa | 7-11 | 9 | 16-15 |
East Carolina | 7-11 | 9 | 15-18 |
Tulane | 5-13 | 11 | 14-17 |
Temple | 5-13 | 11 | 16-20 |
Wichita State | 5-13 | 11 | 15-19 |
UTSA | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |
Rice | 5-13 | 11 | 11-21 |