The Memphis Tigers battled to the end in their first road test of the season, but Ole Miss had just enough shot-making down the stretch to escape with an 83–77 victory Tuesday night inside the Sandy and John Black Pavilion.
The Tigers (1–1) entered the game fresh off a season-opening win over San Francisco and showed encouraging flashes again, but inconsistency on both ends kept them from completing a comeback. Ole Miss (3–0), which began its season earlier, looked sharper and more cohesive in key moments — particularly through Ilias Kamardine, whose 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting anchored the Rebels’ offense.
Givens Breakout Highlights Balanced Scoring Effort
For Memphis, the backcourt led the way once more. LSU transfer Curtis Givens III continued his strong start, scoring 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including three triples. He also added two steals and provided the Tigers’ best perimeter spark throughout the night. Dug McDaniel added 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, dictating pace and tempo against Ole Miss’s half-court traps.
Ashton Hardaway provided a lift off the bench with 16 points on an efficient 7-for-11 shooting, while Sincere Parker chipped in 10 points. Collectively, Memphis shot 46.7 percent from the field but struggled to generate the one big run that could tilt the momentum.
Ole Miss Finds Answers in Kamardine and Giffa
The Rebels countered with an offensive display that tested Memphis’ defensive rotations. Kamardine’s efficiency was the difference — scoring from all three levels and sealing the game with a breakaway dunk in the final 30 seconds. Kezza Giffa added 15 points and five assists, while Malik Dia and AJ Storr combined for 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Ole Miss shot 52 percent from the field and a blistering 62 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 8-of-13 attempts. Memphis stayed even in rebounding (33–32) and turnovers (7–7), but those timely Rebel jumpers prevented any true momentum shift.
Memphis’ Missing Closer
The Tigers pulled within four points in the closing minutes thanks to back-to-back buckets from Givens, but the absence of a clear late-game closer — something last year’s team had in PJ Haggerty and Tyrese Hunter — proved costly. Coach Penny Hardaway noted earlier in the week that scoring would “come by committee” early in the season, and through two games, that prediction has held.
The pieces are there: McDaniel’s poise, Givens’ shot creation, Parker’s scoring bursts, and Thierno Sylla’s emerging defensive presence (5 rebounds, two blocks). But until one player consistently steps into that closer role, Memphis will have to grind out these high-level nonconference battles.
What’s Next
The loss marks Memphis’ first on the road (0–1), but with the season still young, the lessons from Oxford could pay dividends. The Tigers return home for a marquee matchup against UNLV — led by former Memphis coach Josh Pastner — before heading into the Baha Mar Championship, where potential clashes with Purdue await.
Early takeaways remain positive. The Tigers competed, remained disciplined despite turnovers, and showed flashes of a balanced offense. But in a season defined by expectations, closing out tight games will determine whether this team makes the jump from “dangerous” to “elite.”
Show Your Support
Show your support for the Memphis Wire on Sports View 360 by exploring and purchasing licensed NCAA fan gear. From stylish Memphis hats, jerseys, and t-shirts to cozy socks and much more, our collection offers a range of options to showcase your team spirit. By purchasing through the text link provided below, you contribute to the funding of the Sports View 360 platform, enabling us to continue providing comprehensive coverage and engaging content. If interested, click the link below and browse our Memphis Tigers fan gear selection. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Memphis Tigers Fan Gear Offers from Fanatics.com
