Thomas scores 20, Memphis edges UCF 59-57
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Lance Thomas scored a career-high 20 points and Memphis held off UCF 59-57 on Wednesday night.
Thomas was 8-of-11 shooting, including four 3-pointers, two in the final 3-minutes, each giving the Tigers a five-point lead.
Ceasar DeJesus made a jumper for UCF with 56 seconds to go but Precious Achiuwa matched that with 20 seconds to play, restoring the five-point lead until DeJesus nailed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.
Neither team led by more than six points and there were five ties and 16 lead changes.
Achiuwa had 18 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for Memphis (15-5, 4-3 American Athletic Conference). Boogie Ellis added 13 points.
Collin Smith scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Knights (11-9, 2-6) and DeJesus added 13 points. Darin Green Jr. had 11 points.
---
For more AP college basketball coverage: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and http://twitter.com/AP-Top25
---
Elements of this story were generated by Automated Insights, http://www.automatedinsights.com/ap, using data from STATS LLC, https://www.stats.com
NCAAM News
![]()
The coronavirus and college sports: NCAA reopening plans, latest news, program cuts, more
When will college football and other sports return to action? Will more athletic programs be forced to cut sports because of financial strains? Here is the latest on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the college sports world.
![]()
Alabama shooting star John Petty Jr. will return for senior season
Alabama guard John Petty Jr. says he won't be entering the NBA draft and will be returning to school.
![]()
NCAA petitions Supreme Court on rulings that expanded benefits
The NCAA asked the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend federal court rulings that allow college athletes to receive an expanded number of education-related benefits.
2019-2020 American Athletic Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 13-5 | - | 23-8 |
| Tulsa | 13-5 | - | 21-10 |
| Cincinnati | 13-5 | - | 20-10 |
| Wichita State | 11-7 | 2 | 23-8 |
| Memphis | 10-8 | 3 | 21-10 |
| UConn | 10-8 | 3 | 19-12 |
| SMU | 9-9 | 4 | 19-11 |
| UCF | 7-11 | 6 | 16-14 |
| South Florida | 7-11 | 6 | 14-17 |
| Temple | 6-12 | 7 | 14-17 |
| East Carolina | 5-13 | 8 | 11-20 |
| Tulane | 4-14 | 9 | 12-18 |